Aguadulce Army Air Field

Aguadulce Army Airfield (also known as Airdrome Aguadulce ) is a former United States Army Air Forces World War II airfield in Panama used as part of the defense of the Panama Canal. It was closed on 1 March 1948.

Aguadulce Army Airfield
Part of Sixth Air Force
Located in Panama
Aguadulce AAF is located in Panama
Aguadulce AAF
Aguadulce AAF
Coordinates08°15′03.42″N 080°33′55.34″W / 8.2509500°N 80.5653722°W / 8.2509500; -80.5653722
TypeMilitary Airfield
Site information
Controlled byUnited States Army Air Forces
Site history
In use1941-1945

Established on 1 April 1941, Aguadulce Airfield's mission was to defend the Panama Canal. Most of its operational history was that of an auxiliary airfield, hosting fighter squadrons. Training of South American air force personnel was also conducted at the field.

Wartime units assigned were:

8 November-11 December 1941 (B-18 Bolo)
13 February-1 May 1945 (B-24 Liberator)
Detachment operated from: Hato Field, Curaçao, 13 January-24 September 1942
Detachment operated from: Dakota Field, Aruba, 14 January-24 September 1942

With the end of World War II Aguadulce was reduced in scope, with only a skeleton staff. It was closed on 1 March 1948 due to budget reductions. For several years, it was used as a civil airport, but was later closed; today the airfield is abandoned, with the runway still visible but in poor condition.

References

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  This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

  • Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979.
  • Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.