Nonstop flight route between Shemya, Alaska, United States and Port Angeles, Washington, United States:

About this route:

A direct, nonstop flight between Eareckson Air Station (SYA), Shemya, Alaska, United States and William R. Fairchild International AirportPort Angeles Army Airfield (CLM), Port Angeles, Washington, United States would travel a Great Circle distance of 2,678 miles (or 4,309 kilometers).

A Great Circle is the shortest distance between 2 points on a sphere. Because most world maps are flat (but the Earth is round), the route of the shortest distance between 2 points on the Earth will often appear curved when viewed on a flat map, especially for long distances. If you were to simply draw a straight line on a flat map and measure a very long distance, it would likely be much further than if you were to lay a string between those two points on a globe. Because of the large distance between Eareckson Air Station and William R. Fairchild International AirportPort Angeles Army Airfield, the route shown on this map most likely appears curved because of this reason.

Try it at home! Get a globe and tightly lay a string between Eareckson Air Station and William R. Fairchild International AirportPort Angeles Army Airfield. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!

Departure Airport Information:

Arrival Airport Information:

Facts about Eareckson Air Station (SYA):

• The closest airport to Eareckson Air Station (SYA) is Casco Cove Coast Guard Station (ATU), which is located 40 miles (65 kilometers) WNW of SYA.
• Because of Eareckson Air Station's relatively low elevation of 97 feet, planes can take off or land at Eareckson Air Station at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
• The 404th Bombardment Squadron flew B-24 Liberator heavy bombers along with one Beechcraft AT-7, which was used for navigator training.
• There is also an NDB, TACAN and a VOR on the island.
• In August 1988, at least one Aries rocket was launched, relating to the Queen Match program, for anti-ballistic missile testing.
• The Korean War brought extensive use by the Military Air Transport Service for the logistical support of Korea and Japan.
• In addition to being known as "Eareckson Air Station", other names for SYA include "Shemya Air Force Base", "Shemya Army Airfield" and "  ".
• The furthest airport from Eareckson Air Station (SYA) is Cape Town International Airport (CPT), which is located 10,668 miles (17,168 kilometers) away in Cape Town, South Africa.
• The aerial photos taken on the raid showed the Japanese were building up forces in the area, transferring aircraft presumably from air bases on Hokkaido.
• Eareckson Air Station (SYA) currently has only 1 runway.

Facts about William R. Fairchild International AirportPort Angeles Army Airfield (CLM):

• The furthest airport from William R. Fairchild International AirportPort Angeles Army Airfield (CLM) is Tôlanaro Airport (FTU), which is located 10,759 miles (17,316 kilometers) away in Tôlanaro, Madagascar.
• The closest airport to William R. Fairchild International AirportPort Angeles Army Airfield (CLM) is CGAS Port Angeles (NOW), which is located only 4 miles (7 kilometers) ENE of CLM.
• Because of William R. Fairchild International AirportPort Angeles Army Airfield's relatively low elevation of 291 feet, planes can take off or land at William R. Fairchild International AirportPort Angeles Army Airfield at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
• William R. Fairchild International AirportPort Angeles Army Airfield (CLM) has 2 runways.
• Fairchild Airport is also home to Port Angeles' Civil Air Patrol squadron.