Shemya

Shemya is a remote island in the Near Islands group at the western end of the Aleutian chain in Alaska, notable for its long-established airfield and military installations. The island played a strategic role in 20th-century military aviation and Cold War operations and retains aviation facilities and support buildings.

The island’s main feature is the airfield and its associated operational area, which was expanded and modernized during the mid-20th century to support long-range aircraft and monitoring activities. There is little in the way of civilian infrastructure and the settlement footprint consists primarily of support buildings for the airfield and its personnel.

Shemya lies well west of the Alaskan mainland in the Bering Sea sector of the Aleutians. The landscape is low-lying, exposed and subject to strong winds and frequently overcast weather; the nearest larger U.S. population centers are many hundreds of kilometers away, and transport is by military or charter flights when available.

• Strategic role: Located in the Near Islands group at the western end of the Aleutian chain and historically developed for military aviation and radar operations.
• Access: Access is controlled and typically limited to military personnel, contractors or special permission; there is no regular public transport service to the island.

What to See #

• Eareckson Air Station (airfield and facilities): Contains a military airfield and support complex that have been used for strategic air operations and as a forward staging point during and after World War II.