Remote U.S. military airfield serving Kwajalein Atoll.
Location
Kwajalein, Marshall Islands
Bucholz Army Air Field, designated IATA code KWA and ICAO code PKWA, is a United States Army airfield located on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. It serves as the primary aviation facility for the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site, which is operated by the U.S. Army and managed by contractors.
Access to the airfield and the island is strictly controlled by the U.S. military, and civilian travel is limited almost exclusively to authorized personnel, contractors, and their dependents. The facility plays a critical logistical role in supplying and supporting the atoll's population and military mission.
The airfield is named after First Lieutenant Leroy Bucholz, who was killed in action in the Pacific during World War II. Commercial service to Kwajalein is provided on a limited basis, connecting the atoll to Majuro and Honolulu.
Terminals
The airfield has minimal civilian terminal infrastructure, as it primarily serves military and contractor personnel with restricted access.
Getting to & from
Ground transport on Kwajalein Island is extremely limited given the small size of the island, with most movement on foot, bicycle, or small vehicles within the base.
Airlines here
United Airlines has historically operated limited service to Kwajalein, and Nauru Airlines and other regional carriers have served the atoll connecting it to Majuro and Honolulu.
Notable facts
- ›The airfield is named after First Lieutenant Leroy Bucholz, a WWII casualty.
- ›Access to the island and airfield is restricted to U.S. military personnel, contractors, and authorized visitors.
- ›Kwajalein Atoll hosts the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site.
- ›The atoll was the site of a significant WWII battle when U.S. forces captured it from Japan in February 1944.
- ›The runway is situated on one of the largest coral atolls in the world by lagoon area.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
