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 USN 1945 |
Location Lat 10° 18' 27N Long 123° 58' 46E Opon Airfield is located at an elevation of 31' above sea level at Mactan Island two miles to the west is Cebu City on Cebu Island in Cebu Province in the Central Visayas (Region VII) of the Philippines. Also known as Mactan Airfield. Today known as Mactan-Cebu International Airport or Cebu International Airport and is classified as a military and civilian airport. Construction Built prewar as a military and civilian airfield. Wartime History During the Japanese occupation of Cebu, Opon Airfield became the primary Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) base in the Cebu area. The Japanese referred to this airfield as Mactan Airfield. During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, used by Japanese aircraft as a transit point to other locations. Japanese units based at Opon (Mactan) 1021 Kokutai (G4M, transport) Nichols and Cebu 256 Kokutai (A6M Zero) American missions against Opon (Mactan) October 22, 1944–February 7, 1945 On March 28, 1945 liberated by U.S. Army 23rd Infantry Division (23rd ID) "Americal Division", 132nd Infantry Regiment (132nd IR), Company E lands on Mactan Island and secures Opon Airfield. Immediately, repaired for use by American aircraft. By April 2, 1945 the runway was repaired and immediately put to use by transport and liaison aircraft to support operations at Cebu City and Cebu Island. Afterwards, a detachment of Naval Air Transport Service (NATS) operating R4Ds were based at this airfield. Used by American aircraft until the end of the Pacific War. Postwar During the 1960s, Opon Airfield was rehabilitated by the US military for use as an emergency airfield. During the Vietnam War, several U.S. Air Force (USAF) B-52 Stratofortress made emergency landings at this location. Today Still in use today as Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIAA) also known as Cebu International Airport or Cebu Airport and is classified as a civilian-military airport. The single runway is oriented 22/04 measures 10,827' x 148' surfaced with asphalt. Airport codes: ICAO: RPVM, IATA: CEB. References U.S. Army in World War II - Triumph in the Philippines Chapter XXXI The Central Visayan Islands pages 611 (map), 614, 616 Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIAA) official website Thanks to Tony Feredo and Sigurd Lasa for additional information Contribute
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