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  June 1944   Bruce Petty 1995  Peter Ording 1999 |
Location Lat 15° 7' 8N Long 145° 43' 46E Aslito Field is located at an elevation of 215' above sea level near Aslito (As Lito) inland from the southern coast of Saipan Island in the Southern Islands Municipality of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) in the United States of America (USA). Also known as Aslito Airfield, Isely Field, Isely Airfield. Still in use today as Saipan Airport, Saipan International Airport or Francisco C. Ada Airport. Construction Prewar, the area was a sugarcane plantation. In 1933, the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) built a landing filed at this location with two runways in an "L" orientation. During 1937, upgraded for use as a military airfield named Aslito Field for the Chamoru name for the area Aslito (As Lito). Wartime History During the Pacific War, Aslito Field was used by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) fighters. In the middle of 1944, two Kokutai (Air Group) of Zeros were based at Aslito Field that participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea (Great Marianas Turkey Shoot). Used by the Japanese until the middle of June 1944. Japanese units based at Aslito 261 Kokutai (A6M5) June 1944 265 Kokutai (A6M5) June 1944 During the night June 16-17, 1944 the U.S. Army, 27th Infantry Division captured Aslito Field. During the battle, a A6M Zero from Guam Island landed at Aslito Airfield, the pilot was unaware it had been captured. As it landed, the Zero was fired upon and crashed at the end of the runway. The pilot survived and the Zero was captured. Captured Japanese Aircraft At Aslito Field, several A6M5 Model 52 Zeros were captured largely intact including: A6M5 Zero 1303 Tail 61-121, A6M5 Zero 4340 Tail 61-???, A6M5 Zero 5357 Tail 61-120 and A6M5 Zero 5350. Naming Honors After the American liberation renamed "Isely Field'" in honor of U.S. Navy (USN) Commander Robert H. Isely pilot TBM-1C Avenger 25288 Missing In Action (MIA) on a strike against Aslito Field. The original runway was also known as Isely Field No. 1 when a new runway was built further to the west known as Isely Field No. 2. By September 7, 1944 the ground echelon of the 498th Bombardment Group (498th BG) arrived and flew their first combat mission on October 28, 1944. Isley Field No 1 The original prewar runway built by the Japanese and expanded by American forces in 1944. By December 1944, the single runway measured 8,500' x 200' with extensive taxiways and revetments located to the north and south of the runway. The control tower was code named "Blue Grass" Isley Field No 2 During 1944, a second runway was built by American forces further to the west. By December 1944, a second runway measuring 7,300' x 200' was under construction with extensive taxiways and revetments to the north and south of the runway. The control tower was code named "Gardenia". American units based at Isely Field 498th BG HQ USA September 6, 1944 498th BG 873d BS (B-29) from USA September 7, 1944 498th BG, 874th BS (B-29) from USA September 7, 1944 498th BG, 875th BS (B-29) from USA September 7, 1944 497th BG HQ USA arrives September 17, 1944 497th BG, 869th BS (B-29 USA arrives September 17, 1944 497th BG, 870th BS (B-29) USA arrives September 17, 1944 497th BG, 871st BS (B-29) USA arrives September 17, 1944 499th BG HQ USA arrives Sept 18, 1944 499th BG, 877th BS (B-29) September 22, 1944 499th BG, 878th BS (B-29) September 22, 1944 499th BG, 879th BS (B-29) September 22, 1944 500th BG HQ from USA September 18, 1944 500th BG, 881st BS (B-29) September 19, 1944 500th BG, 882d BS (B-29) September 19, 1944 500th BG, 883d BS (B-29) September 19, 1944 Between September 1944 until February 1945, Japanese aircraft from Pagan and Iwo Jima conducted air raids against Isley Field. Altogether about 80 Japanese aircraft attacked and nearly 40 were shot down. As a result, 11 B-29s were destroyed and 43 damaged on the ground. Japanese missions against Isley Field November 2, 1944–December 25, 1944 Postwar Remained in use as the primary airfield serving Saipan and reverted to the name Aslito Field. Today Still in use today as Francisco C. Ada Airport. Also known as Saipan Airport or Saipan International Airport and is the main port of entry for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The single runway is oriented 25/07 measures 8,700' x 200' surfaced with asphalt with an elevation of 215'. Airport Codes: ICAO: PGSN and IATA: SPN. References Commonwealth Ports Authority - Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport Contribute
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