Henderson Field, Emergency landing airfield on Sand Island, Midway Atoll, United States.
Henderson Field is an emergency airfield on Sand Island in the Midway Atoll with a single runway for aircraft needing to land unexpectedly. The facility sits just above sea level and is managed by the Department of the Interior.
The airfield was built in 1941 and named after Major Lofton R. Henderson, who died during the Battle of Midway in 1942. The location served as a base for aircraft operations throughout the Pacific War.
The airfield marks the location where American forces stationed aircraft that participated in the Pacific theater during World War II.
Flight operations occur mainly at night between November and June to protect nesting albatrosses in the area. Visitors should expect these seasonal restrictions when planning to see aircraft activity.
The airfield serves as a constant emergency diversion point for aircraft crossing the Pacific under ETOPS regulations. This role makes it a critical safety location even though it rarely sees active use.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
