Jan Mayensfield

Aerodrome serving Olonkinbyen in Jan Mayen, Norway

Location on a map of the Arctic

ENJA

Jan Mayensfield (ICAO: ENJA) is an aerodrome serving Olonkinbyen in Jan Mayen, Norway. Operated by the Norwegian Armed Forces, it serves the island's only population at the combined military and meteorological station. It has a 1,500-meter (4,921 ft) dirt runway numbered 04–22.

The airfield was built in connection with the LORAN-C transmitter at Olonkinbyen and was completed in 1960. Jan Mayensfield is served eight times per year by Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft of the 335 Squadron from Bodø Main Air Station, which provide supplies and change crew at the outpost. The nearby Beerenberg volcano can cause a Kármán wind, which creates difficult landing conditions.

History

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Norwegian Armed Forces started construction of a military communications outpost at Olonkinbyen in 1958. At first a LORAN-A transmitter was built,^[1] followed by a LORAN-C transmitter in 1960.^[2][3] In August, it was announced that the island would receive an airfield to allow continual operation of the transmitter.^[4] Originally, the aerodrome consisted of a 1,200 by 30 metres (3,937 by 98 ft) section of the island's dirt road. This was chosen to reduce the bureaucracy of construction. The first aircraft to land was a Consolidated PBY Catalina of the Royal Norwegian Air Force on 17 September 1960.^[2]

The first civilian aircraft was a Douglas DC-4 operated by Braathens SAFE, which landed with some journalists on board on 29 October 1961.^[2] Other early aircraft operating to Jan Mayen were the Grumman HU-16 Albatross and the Douglas DC-6.^[5] The head officer of the Norwegian military's communications division was later criticized by Chief of Defence Bjarne Øen, who concluded: "Gentlemen, I will not have any further construction of airports on Norwegian soil by the Communications Division without the plans being presented to the Central Command."^[2] The field was named Jan Mayensfield, in part as a joke having the movie star Jayne Mansfield in mind, but this name stuck.^[6]

In 1970, a sudden eruption in Beerenberg forced the immediate evacuation of the station. A Hercules was dispatched to the island and successfully landed on the strip. Thereafter the Hercules became the regular military aircraft at Jan Mayen.^[7] Aircraft gradually took over more of the transport to the island, and from 1973 all supplies except diesel and special freight was transported by ship.^[2] From 1975 the 333 Squadron would occasionally drop mail and supplies using the P-3 Orion as a supplement to the landings of the Hercules.^[8]

Facilities

Jan Mayensfield's single regular service is the Royal Norwegian Air Force's Lockheed C-130 Hercules,^[9] which operate to the island eight times per year.^[10] The aircraft are part of the 335 Squadron, based at Gardermoen Air Station,^[9] although the flights from Jan Mayen operate from Bodø Main Air Station.^[11] The runway is not open for commercial traffic,^[12] although it can be used for research and search and rescue operations.^[5]

The dirt runway is 1,500 by 30 meters (4,921 by 98 ft) being aligned 06–24.^[13] Jan Mayensfield has variable weather conditions, a lot of fog and often has a Kármán wind. The Kármán wind is created in the wake of the Beerenberg volcano, resulting in regular vortex streets and lee-waves. This can cause sudden change to the wind direction on the island.^[5]

Accidents and incidents

In 1991, a C-130 Hercules aircraft from the Royal Norwegian Air Force almost crashed after takeoff due to Kármán wind suddenly shifting.^[5]

A World War II Focke Wulf 200 C4 plane crash site is also near the airfield.^[14]

References

Bibliography

• Arheim, Tom; Hafsten, Bjørn; Olsen, Bjørn; Thuve, Sverre (1994). Fra Spitfire til F-16: Luftforsvaret 50 år 1944–1994 (in Norwegian). Oslo: Sem & Stenersen. ISBN 82-7046-068-0.
• Barr, Susan (1991). Jan Mayen (in Norwegian). Oslo: Schibsted. ISBN 82-516-1353-1.