Enewetak Auxiliary Airfield (ENT)

Enewetak Auxiliary Airfield (PKMA) serves the historically significant Enewetak Atoll in the central Pacific Ocean. Positioned on the remote northern coral atoll, the airfield provides critical aviation access for U.S. government contractors, environmental remediation teams, and the resilient local Marshallese community. Its role is essential for ongoing scientific research, nuclear environmental cleanup programs, and supporting government oversight in this region, which remains a key site for managing the complex Cold War legacy of nuclear testing in the Pacific, where 43 nuclear tests were conducted between 1948 and 1958.

As a restricted auxiliary airfield supporting environmental monitoring and remediation efforts, the airport maintains specialized operational protocols for government-contracted aircraft, research expeditions, and specialized cargo transports. There is no formal passenger terminal, retail shops, or public dining facilities; all operations are strictly controlled for logistical, environmental, and security purposes. Travelers, including scientists and government officials, must be entirely self-sufficient, as there is no civilian fueling, maintenance, or ground support available at the location. The airfield played a crucial support role during the 1977-1980 radiological cleanup operation, when approximately 6,000 veterans participated in removing contaminated soil and debris that was eventually sealed in the Runit Dome concrete containment structure.

Operational activity at ENT is centered around a 7,700-foot (2,347-meter) asphalt runway (06/24) capable of supporting large government and military transport aircraft. All flight operations are conducted under strict Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and are typically limited to daylight hours. The airfield serves as an indispensable node for long-term environmental remediation and scientific monitoring mandated by the Insular Areas Act of 2011, which requires regular radiochemical analysis of groundwater and visual surveys of the Runit Dome containment structure. Given its remote location and specialized role as a nuclear test site remediation facility, the airfield requires meticulous mission planning and authorized access for all arrivals, with all visitors requiring Prior Permission (PPR) and inclusion on official government or military manifests.