Albrook Air Force Station Explained

Albrook Air Force Station
Ensign:Air Combat Command.png
Ensign Size:70px
Partof:Air Combat Command
Location:Located near Balboa, Panama
Pushpin Map:Panama
Pushpin Label:Albrook AFS
Pushpin Mapsize:300
Type:Military Air Force Station
Controlledby:United States Air Force
Built:1928
Used:1932-1997

Albrook Air Force Station is a former United States Air Force facility in Panama. It was closed on 30 September 1997 as a result of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties which specified that United States military facilities in the former Panama Canal Zone be closed and the facilities be turned over to the Panamanian government. It was located on the east side of the Panama Canal just south of Fort Clayton and north of the township of Balboa, Panama. Beginning in January 1999, the air field initiated civilian air service as Albrook "Marcos A. Gelabert" International Airport.

Major commands to which assigned

USAF Southern Air Division, 1 January 1976 - 1 January 1989

830th Air Division, 1 January 1989 - 15 February 1991

Air Forces Panama, 15 February 1991 - 11 February 1992

Major units assigned

24th Pursuit (later Fighter) Squadron, 26 October 1932-10 January 1943; 28 May-9 June 1943

28th Pursuit Squadron, 1 February-5 October 1940

29th Pursuit (later Fighter) Squadron, 1 October 1933-17 May 1942

43d Pursuit (later Fighter) Squadron, 1 February 1940-13 July 1942

73d Pursuit Squadron, 1 October 1933-14 July 1941

78th Pursuit Squadron, 15 October 1932-1 September 1937

Redesignated 19th Wing, 1937

Redesignated 19th Bombardment Wing, 1940 - 25 October 1941

30th Pursuit Squadron, 13 November 1940-24 November 1941

31st Pursuit (later Fighter) Squadron, 13 November 1940-9 November 1941; 31 December 1941-3 February 1942; 19 May-30 September 1942

Redesignated: Caribbean Air Force. August 5, 1941

Redesignated: 6th Air Force, September 18, 1942

Redesignated: Caribbean Air Command, July 31, 1946

Redesignated: United States Air Forces Southern Command July 8, 1963-1 January 1976

51st Pursuit Squadron, 1 January-21 August 1941

52d Pursuit Squadron, 1 January-21 August 1941

53d Pursuit Squadron, 1 January-21 August 1941

3rd Bombardment Squadron[4]

74th Bombardment Squadron[5]

20th Troop Carrier Squadron, 9 June 1943-September 1948

18th Troop Carrier Squadron, 1 August 1948-1 March 1949

Post USAF use

In September 1997, the base was turned over to Panama. It was then refurbished with an operations / control tower constructed; also a passenger terminal (near Building 446, the hangar that previously housed the former Air Force Post Office). In January 1999, the domestic/commercial Albrook "Marcos A. Gelabert" International Airport was relocated to Albrook from Punta Paitilla (across Panama City). Airport is under Panama's Civil Aeronautics Authority (Autoridad de Aeronáutica Civil —previously named Civil Aviation Directorate).

A number of shops, markets, mall and government agencies (Panamanian Red Cross, International Maritime University of Panama) operate out of some of the old buildings and hangars, and most of the officers quarters are now private homes.

The Civil Aviation Authority has its headquarters in Building 805.[6]

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: William . Conaway . VI Bombardment Command History . Planes and Pilots Of World War Two.
  2. Web site: William . Conaway . 40th Bombardment Group (Heavy) . VI Bomber Command In Defense Of The Panama Canal 1941 - 45.
  3. Web site: William . Conaway . 6th Bombardment Group (Heavy) . VI Bomber Command In Defense Of The Panama Canal 1941 - 45.
  4. Web site: William . Conaway . 3rd Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) . VI Bomber Command In Defense Of The Panama Canal 1941 - 45.
  5. Web site: William . Conaway . 74th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) . VI Bomber Command In Defense Of The Panama Canal 1941 - 45.
  6. "Contáctenos." Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved on April 18, 2012. "Oficinas Administrativas: Albrook Edificio 805 - Panamá"