Location
Lat 8° 10' 0"  Long 125° 4' 0"  Located near Malabang on the northwest coast of Mindanao.

Construction
Built by the US Army prewar.

Wartime History
After the Japanese attacks on the Philippines in December 1941, Malabang was briefly used by US Army Air Force (USAAF) aircraft and personnel until their surrender to the Japanese.

Joseph St. John recalls the airfield in 1942 in Leyte Calling, page 16-17:
"The squadron was moved to Malabang and operated there for a couple of months. The situation around Malabang was all disordered, and it became every man for himself. Each one of us had to decided whether or not to surrender."

During 1942 occupied by the Japanese Army until the middle of April 1945.

American missions against Malabang
January 14 - March 12, 1945

American Usage
On April 17, 1945 US Army forces landed near Malabang and advanced to Malabang Airfield, liberating the area five days later. The runway was immediately repaired and put into use by American Liaison aircraft and US Marine Corps (USMC) aircraft. On April 22, 1945 Marine Air Group 24 (MAG 24) arrived at Malabang to provide air support for Mindanao ground operations

American units based at Malabang
25th Liaison Sqn (UC-78, L-5) Dulag April 19 - June 22, 45 Del Monte
MAG 24 April 22, 1945
MAG-61
US Marine PBJs were also based at Malabang in 1945

Today
Still in use today as Malabang Airport. Airport codes: ICAO: RPMM IATA: MLP.

References
US Army Campaigns of World War II - Southern Philippines pages 24, 26
Thanks to Tony Feredo for additional information.

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Last Updated
September 24, 2018