B‑17F Black Jack was a Boeing Flying Fortress of the US Fifth Air Force’s 43rd Bombardment Group. The B‑17 was a four‑engine heavy bomber that provided long‑range striking power in World War II; in the Southwest Pacific B‑17s flew extended daylight and night operations from forward bases, carrying out bombing, reconnaissance and maritime interdiction missions that helped disrupt Japanese shipping and support Allied advances.

On 11 July 1943 Black Jack flew from the Port Moresby area on an operation toward Japanese positions; during the mission the aircraft suffered multiple engine issues, was low on fuel and caught in severe weather, so the crew ditched off the Cape Vogel / Boga Boga shoreline. The crew survived the ditching—several were wounded—and were rescued with assistance from local villagers and Allied units.

Blackjack now sits on a sandy bottom at a depth of nearly 50 metres.