August 1945
July 15, 1946
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Location
Located
about 10 miles south of Clark
Field and 5 miles west of San Fernando. Located close to Porac.
Construction
Built prior to the war, as an American
base for B-17's (unconfirmed).
Japanese Usage
Used by
the Japanese to a lesser extent.
Tony Feredo adds:
"I am starting to discover trickles on information that Foridablanca may have been used by the Japanese afterall. Its alternative name may have been "Del Carmen No. 2" allegedly near Sitio Palakol and the place is located in Floridablanca. It is highly probable that the Floridablanca Arifiled, which the Americans improved and used must have originated from the Japanese as auxilliary or sattelite field when the original Del Carmen was being targetted. Another evidence that I have is a Sept. 1944 map in my files that shows the disposition of Japanese airfields in the P.I. prior to the US invasion of Oct. 44. There it clearly states that the "New Del Carmen Field" was situated at "Palucol"-- a western deviation or mis-spelling of the tagalog term "Palakol" meaning "Axe".
American Usage
When the Americans liberated the area, they discovered a Ki-44 Tojo at the airfield. The airfield was enlarged and improved, and
again based American heavy bombers. Including the only B-32
Dominator assinged to a combat unit. Numerous Allied
aircraft
were abandoned and buried here after the war. Post war,
P-80's were brought here in 1945 and test flown. But never
made it into
combat.
American Units Based
312th
BG, 387th BS (A-20) Mangaldan April 16 - Aug 12, 45 to Okinawa
312th
BG HQ Mangaldan April 19, 45 from - ?
312th
BG 386th BS (A-20) Mangaldan April 45 - Aug 13, 45 to Yontan
312th
BG, 388th BS (A-20) Mangaldan Apr 20 - Aug 13, 45 Yontan
312th
BG, 389th BS (A-20, B-32) Mangaldan Apr 20 - Aug 13 45 Yontan
348th FG HQ San Marcelino May 15, 45 - July 9, 45 to Ie Shima
348th FG 340th FS (P-47, P-51) San Marcelino May 15, 45 - July 12, 45
348th FG 343rd (P-47, P-51) San Marcelino May 15 - July 12, 45
348th FG 460th FS (P-47, P-51) San Marcelino May 15 - July 12, 45
Today
Known as Basa Air Base, it is used
by the Philippine Air Force to this day. It is the home base of the Philippine Air Force 5th Fighter Wing.
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