Aiyura

Aiyura is the name of a valley located in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. It is the home of the Aiyura Agricultural Research Station, which was operated originally as the "Highlands Agricultural Experiment Station, Aiyura" begun in 1936 by Mr. Bill Brechin, an Australian Agriculturist. In 1937 work was begun clearing the land for the airstrip which is now the home in Papua New Guinea of JAARS (the aviation wing of Wycliffe Bible Translators), Airstrip IATA code AYU known as Aiyura Airport. Aiyura played a role in World War II when the Aiyura Airstrip was bombed by the Japanese on June 15, 1943 with six bombers and six fighter aircraft. The story of how Aiyura Valley got involved in the battles of World War II.