Pohakuloa (Bradshaw Army Airfield)

Pohakuloa Airport, better known as Bradshaw Army Airfield, is not the typical gateway that welcomes tourists. Located in the heart of the Big Island of Hawaii, within a vast military training ground, it serves as a key logistical hub for the USA Armed Forces. This airfield is situated in a unique high-altitude landscape between the Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea volcanoes, making it one of the most unusual aviation facilities in the country.

The main feature of Pohakuloa Airport is its exclusively military purpose. It does not serve commercial passenger flights and is inaccessible to civilian travellers. Bradshaw Airfield plays a strategic role in supporting training and logistics for various US Army units at the Pohakuloa Training Area, the largest military installation in the state of Hawaii. Its runway is capable of handling heavy military transport aircraft, such as the C-17 Globemaster III, which is critical for the rapid deployment of troops and equipment. The high-altitude location creates specific conditions for pilots, requiring special training and skills.

It is important to understand that Pohakuloa Airport, also known as Bradshaw Army Airfield (BSF), is an active US Army military facility, not a public commercial airport. Consequently, standard services for civilian passengers are not available here. Contact information is primarily intended for official purposes.

• Official Website: Information about the Pohakuloa Training Area is available on the U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii portal: U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii - Pohakuloa.
• Information Desk Phone: There is no specialized information service for tourists. For official inquiries, one may contact the Public Affairs Office.
• Airport Address: The airfield is located on the Big Island of Hawaii, along the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (formerly known as Saddle Road), approximately halfway between the cities of Hilo and Kona.
• Email: A public email address for general inquiries is not provided.
• Social Media: News and official announcements can be followed on the base's Facebook page: Pohakuloa Training Area.
• Lost Luggage Information: Since the airport does not handle commercial passenger flights, there is no lost luggage service.
• Passenger Support Contacts: Passenger services for the general public are not provided at the military base.

First and foremost, it is crucial to understand that Pohakuloa (Bradshaw Army Airfield) is an active military base (Pohakuloa Training Area) and not a civilian airport serving commercial flights. Access to the territory for the general public is strictly limited and possible only with a special permit. The information below is intended for those who have official reasons to visit the base.

Car Rental is the only realistic way to reach the Pohakuloa Training Area. You can rent a car at one of the main commercial airports on the Big Island of Hawaii: Hilo International Airport (ITO) or Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA). The base is located along Saddle Road (Route 200), which crosses the island between the Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes. The drive along this road is a scenic adventure in itself, but be prepared for changeable weather due to the high altitude.

The approximate driving time to the base entrance is about 45-60 minutes from the city of Hilo and approximately 1 hour 15 minutes – 1 hour 30 minutes from Kailua-Kona. It is recommended to fill up your tank before leaving, as there are very few petrol stations on Saddle Road.

Public Transport, such as buses or trains, does not serve this area and has no routes to the military base. Taxis or Private Transfers from Hilo or Kona would be extremely expensive (costing several hundred dollars) and impractical due to the facility's remote location. Finding a driver willing to make such a trip may also be difficult.

As this is a secured military facility, there is no public parking at the airfield. Parking and movement within the territory are regulated by internal base rules and are available only to authorized personnel. Entry to the Pohakuloa Training Area is prohibited for tourists and unauthorized persons.

Pohakuloa Airport, better known as Bradshaw Army Airfield (BSF), is a facility of the USA Army and part of the Pohakuloa Training Area. It is important to realize that this is not a civilian airport, but an active military base. Therefore, its structure and purpose differ fundamentally from standard passenger terminals.

There are no passenger terminals at Bradshaw Airfield in the generally accepted sense. Instead of waiting lounges, shops, and restaurants, there are functional buildings designed to service military flights and transport personnel and cargo. All operations on the airfield territory are subject to strict military protocols. Areas that could conditionally be called "departure and arrival zones" are used exclusively for the boarding and disembarking of military service members and authorized personnel.

Access to the airfield territory and the Pohakuloa Training Area is strictly limited. Navigation through the territory is carried out in accordance with internal rules and signs intended only for official use. Maps of the airfield are not available to the public for security reasons. Attempts to enter the facility without appropriate permission are prohibited.

Check-in and security screening procedures here are also strictly military in nature. They are conducted for service members and contractors according to established army regulations. The time required to pass these procedures is not regulated for the public and depends on the specific mission and operational situation. Thus, for ordinary tourists and travellers, Bradshaw Airfield is a closed facility and is not used for commercial passenger transport.

The history of Pohakuloa Airport, better known as Bradshaw Army Airfield, is inextricably linked with the Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) on the Big Island of Hawaii. The airfield was built during World War II, in 1942, and originally served as an auxiliary landing strip to support military operations and training in this strategically important region.

A major stage in the airfield's development was its transformation into a key logistical hub for the training ground. For decades, Bradshaw Airfield has provided the capability for the rapid deployment of personnel, equipment, and supplies for exercises conducted in the unique high-altitude conditions of the training area. Its runway was specifically designed and upgraded to accommodate heavy military transport aircraft, making it an indispensable asset for the armed forces of the USA and their allies.

An interesting feature of the airbase is its location at an altitude of over 1,800 metres above sea level, on a plateau between two giant volcanoes — Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. This makes it one of the highest airfields in the region. The airfield received its official name in honour of Warrant Officer John W. Bradshaw, a helicopter pilot who died here in 1968. Today, the airfield continues to play an important role in ensuring national defence, remaining a closed military facility, but its history is an integral part of the heritage of the Pohakuloa Training Area.

It is important to understand that Pohakuloa Airport (Bradshaw Army Airfield) (BSF) is an active military airbase of the USA and part of the Pohakuloa Training Area. It is not a civilian commercial airport, so it is not designed to serve tourists and does not provide a standard set of passenger services. There are no terminals for civilian flights, restaurants, Duty-Free shops, public waiting lounges, currency exchange points, or ATMs for the general public.

All facilities and amenities on the base, including medical points, dining halls, and rest areas, are intended exclusively for military personnel and are not accessible to civilians. Tourists planning a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii should focus on the main civilian airports: Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) on the west coast or Hilo International Airport (ITO) on the east. It is in these airports and nearby that you will find a full range of services for travellers, including various cafes, car rentals, hotels, and Wi-Fi access.

It is important to note that Pohakuloa Airport, also known as Bradshaw Army Airfield (BSF), is primarily a military facility, not a commercial civilian airport. Due to its specific status, there are no terminals familiar to tourists with restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops here.

The dining infrastructure on the premises is designed to serve service members and base personnel. Public establishments offering diverse menus, including vegetarian, gluten-free, or halal dishes, are absent here. Travellers not directly related to the military base should not count on finding options for a snack or a full meal here.

Tourists arriving on the Big Island of Hawaii should look towards the civilian airports — Kona International Airport (KOA) or Hilo International Airport (ITO), where a wide selection of dining establishments for every taste and budget is presented.

When planning a trip to the Big Island of the Hawaiian archipelago, it is important to consider the specific nature of Pohakuloa Airport, also known as Bradshaw Army Airfield. This is an active military facility located within the Pohakuloa Training Area in the high-altitude saddle between the Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes. For ordinary tourists, this airfield is closed and does not serve commercial passenger flights.

If you encounter a mention of this airport while planning your route, it is likely an error. Recommendations regarding arrival times and check-in are irrelevant here for civilians, as access to the base territory is strictly limited and carried out only with special military passes or prior command authorization. There are no standard terminals, check-in counters, or TSA security zones familiar to travellers here.

Tips on seat selection and luggage also have their own specifics: since civilian airlines do not fly here, rules for carry-on luggage and seating are determined exclusively by military regulations for service transport. For tourism purposes and a comfortable arrival on the island, it is strongly recommended to use one of the island's two international airports: Kona (KOA) in the west or Hilo (ITO) in the east. They offer a full range of services, including car rentals and transfers to hotels.

Nevertheless, the area around Pohakuloa is interesting for its unique nature and landscapes. If you are driving past on Saddle Road, be prepared for changeable weather: due to the high altitude, it is often foggy and cool here. In case of delays on the road (for example, due to military exercises that sometimes restrict traffic on the highway), have a supply of water and warm clothes with you. Saving time and money in this region lies in proper logistics planning: rent a powerful vehicle if you plan to go off the main highway, and always check the weather forecast before travelling to the mountains.