Leo Wattimena Airport

File:Boeing SB-17G "Ready Teddy," Morotai, 1945.jpgFile:Wama airstrip April 1945 OG1934.jpg

Morotai island was the final island invasion in Netherlands New Guinea before the liberation of the Philippines. The island was recaptured on 15 September 1944 during the Battle of Morotai by the 31st Infantry Division, meeting only light opposition. General MacArthur and Rear Admiral Barbey landed on the day of the invasion to make an inspection. At the time, the island had only five hundred Japanese defenders.

After the landings, Navy Seabees constructed two airfields on the island, Wama and Pitu. Wama was constructed almost along the shoreline and was used as a fighter airfield. It was abandoned after the war. Pitu was built as a bomber airfield to the north inland, and is currently used as a commercial airport.{{fact|date=January 2024}}

After the war, the island was one of the largest Fifth Air Force aircraft reclamation centers in the Pacific. A smelting operation was established, and USAAF planes from all over the region were flown there to be scrapped. Despite scrapping, the island was crammed full of aircraft and vehicles until 1988 when it was cleared in a final scrap drive. The scrap was taken to Krakatau Steel Mill in Java.{{fact|date=January 2024}}

• 38th Bombardment Group (15 October 1944 – 29 January 1945)
• 310th Bombardment Wing (18 September-14 November 1944)
• 8th Fighter Group (19 September – 20 December 1944)
• 35th Fighter Group (27 September 1944 – 20 January 1945)
• 418th Night Fighter Squadron (28 September – 26 December 1944)

During the buildup in preparation of Operation Trikora in early 1962, the Indonesian Air Force utilized Morotai airfield as one of the frontline airbases. In late June 1962, the air force deployed four to six Tu-16 strategic bombers, six to ten Il-28 medium bombers, two UF-1 Albatross search-and-rescue seaplanes and two Mi-4 helicopters at Morotai.Djati et al. 1996, p. 54–55Djati et al. 1996, p. 189 Later the Il-28s were moved to Laha and Amahai due to insufficient range to the Western New Guinea.Djati et al. 1996, p. 54 The Indonesian Navy naval aviation also deployed eight Gannet anti-submarine aircraft. For the airbase defenses, the air force stationed six MiG-17 as interceptor and air defense, a Polish-built Nyasa radar unit as early warning system,Djati et al. 1996, p. 53 an anti-aircraft unit equipped with Hispano-Suiza HS.804 cannons, and a company of base defense troops.Djati et al. 1996, p. 55–56 The Indonesian Army also stationed an air-defense artillery unit from Pattimura Battalion.Djati et al. 1996, p. 56

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• USAAF in the Southwest Pacific

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{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}

• Djati, Pungky Purnomo; et al. (1996). Perjuangan AURI dalam Trikora (Indonesian Air Force's Struggle during Trikora). Jakarta: Indonesian Air Force Headquarters. (in Indonesian)
• Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. {{ISBN|0-89201-092-4}}.

• [https://www.pacificwrecks.com/airfields/indonesia/pitu/index.html Pitu Airfield at Pacificwrecks.com]

{{Airports in Indonesia}}

{{USAAF 5th Air Force World War II}}

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Category:Airports in North Maluku

Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in the South West Pacific theatre of World War II

Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces Air Transport Command in the South West Pacific Theater

Category:World War II sites in Indonesia

Category:Indonesian Air Force bases