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| Location Lat 8° 58' 24N 79° 33' 20W Albrook Field is located to the east of Albrook and the Panama Canal in Panama City Panamá Province in Panama (Republic of Panama). To the north is Fort Clayton and to the south is Balboa. Prewar and during World War II located in the "Canal Zone" or "C.Z.". Also known as Albrook Army Airfield, Albrook AFB and later Albrook Air Force Station. Today known as Albrook Airport or Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport. Construction US Congress authorized the construction of Albrook Field during 1928, allocating $1.9 million for construction. Actual construction began in 1930 and was completed in 1932. Commissioned in April 1932 as the second permanent U.S. Army airfield in Panama. During the 1930s, the base was expanded with additional buildings and the runways improved. On April 17, 1939 hard surfaced runways were opened at the airfield. On the southeast side of the airfield was a commercial air terminal that was camouflaged but used during the war by Pan Am. Prewar, U.S. President F. D. Roosevelt and first lady Eleanor Roosevelt visited Albrook Field. Naming Honors Named after 1st Lt. Frank P. Albrook who died in an air crash at Chanute Field, IL on September 17, 1924. During the war, APO 825. Wartime History During World War II, based many fighter and bomber units patrolling the Canal Zone area. Home of the 6th Air Force headquarters for the duration of the war. Also, the Panama Air Depot (PAD). American units based at Albrook Field 6th AF, HQ 32nd PG, HQ (P-26, P-40) December 9, 1941 Patilla Point / Chorrera 37th FG, 31st FS (P-26, P-39, P-40) Chorrera arrives May 19, 1942–September 30, 1942 40th BG, HQ Howard Field Sept 16, 1942 - ? 73d Pursuit Squadron, 1 October 1933-14 July 1941 78th Pursuit Squadron October 15, 1932 - September 1, 1937 19th Composite Wing / 19th Bomb Wing, January 25, 1933 - October 25, 1941 30th Pursuit Squadron, 13 November 1940-24 November 1941 Panama Canal Air Force (Caribbean AF, Caribbean Air Cmd), HQ Nov 20, 1940 - Jan 1, 1976 12 Pursuit Wing, 32nd FG November 10, 1940 - 1946 51st PS January 1 - August 21, 1941 52nd PS January 1 - August 21, 1941 53rd PS January 1 - August 21, 1941 6th Bomber Command October 25, 1941 - November 1, 1946 26th Fighter Command March 6, 1942–August 25, 1946 1st Communications Squadron, Air Support, 23 April 1942-April 1943 40th BG arrives September 16, 1942–June 3, 1943 6th BG, 3rd BS January 14, 1943–November 1, 1943 6th BG, 74th BS January 14, 1943–November 1, 1943 20th TCS, June 9, 1943–September 1948 1st Depot Repair Squadron May 6, 1943–December 7, 1944 Postwar On March 26, 1948 renamed Albrook Air Force Base (Albrook AFB) by the Department of the Air Force General Order Number 10 and was used by the U.S. Air Force (USAF). In 1975 the facility was downgraded to Albrook Air Force Station when the control tower was closed and aircraft and units moved to Howard AFB. On October 1, 1979 the airfield, hangars, buildings and Panama Air Depot (PAD) area were transferred to the Panamanian government. During December 1989, during Operation Just Cause, the U.S. invasion of Panama there was an extended fire fight at the front gate of the airport. Today As as a result of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, this air base was officially closed on September 30, 1997 and the facility was turned over to the Panamanian government. Renamed Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport. During January 1999 after refurbishing the former Air Force Base and constructing an operations/control tower and a passenger terminal, the airport became a civilian airport and port of entry administered by Panama's Civil Aeronautics Authority (Autoridad de Aeronáutica Civil). The single runway oriented 36/18 measures 5,906' x 98' surfaced with asphalt. Airport codes: ICAO: MPMG IATA: PAC. XB-15 (XC-105) "Grandpappy" 35-277 Postwar, abandoned in a swamp east of the airfield Panama Canal Museum and Library Located at the former commercial airport terminal References Alae Supra Canalem (1997) pages 22, 37 (photos) Contribute
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