Naval Air Station Midway, US air station in the Midway Atoll
Naval Air Station Midway is a naval air base located on an atoll in the Pacific Ocean, about 1100 miles northwest of Hawaii. The station spans two main islands, with Sand Island holding most of the buildings and Eastern Island remaining empty since 1970.
The islands were discovered in 1859 and claimed by the United States in 1867, with President Roosevelt placing them under Navy control in 1903. A naval air station was built in 1940 and gained major importance during World War II in 1942, when a decisive battle under Admiral Spruance destroyed four Japanese aircraft carriers.
The name comes from its location in the middle of the Pacific between continents. Today you see a place that holds two roles at once: it was a military base, and now it protects the seabirds that breed and nest on these islands.
Access is restricted and visits require prior authorization from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The terrain is flat and walkable on guided tours, though sturdy shoes and sun protection are important since there is little shade on the islands.
Aircraft that crashed during the war still remain on the grounds and are considered war graves honoring those who died. These wrecks stand as silent reminders of the battles that changed the course of the Pacific War.
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