Durand Airfield
| Durand Airfield 17-Mile Drome | |
|---|---|
| Part of Fifth Air Force | |
| Located near Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Military airfield |
| Controlled by | United States Army Air Forces |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 09°22′57.35″S 147°10′23.76″E / 9.3825972°S 147.1732667°E |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1944 |
| In use | 1944 |
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Durand Airfield (also known as 17-Mile Drome) is a former World War II airfield near Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. It was part of a multiple-airfield complex in the Port Moresby area, located 17 miles (27 km) from Port Moresby, to the north of the Waigani swamp.
The airfield was known as '17 Mile' or sometimes 'Waigani'. Waigani swamp is located at the end of the airfield. Pilots feared crashing into during bad take offs or landings under the belief there were crocodiles in it. On November 10, 1942 it was officially renamed "Durand Airfield" to honor of MIA P-39 pilot Edward D. Durand missing on a mission against Lae.