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Location Lat 8° 23' 28N 82° 26' 6W David Field is located at an elevation of 89' above sea level south of David in Chiriquí Province (Provincia Chiriquí) in western Panama. Construction During 1941, David Field was built by the U.S. Army an auxiliary airfield for Howard Field. Also known as David Army Airfield. The original single runway was 6,000' x 450' surfaced with sod, later known as the "old runway". Later, an asphalt "new runway" was built 5,800 x 200' with ravetments. By 1944, David Field had both Army and Navy radio towers and operations buildings. Wartime History During World War II, used for training and reconnaissance missions over the southeast Pacific coast, from Honduras in the north, Peru in the south as in the defense of the Panama Canal and Canal Zone (CZ). American units based at David Field 6th BG, 397th BS (B-18, B-17) December 11, 1941–August 18, 1942 6th AF, 7th Reconnaissance Squadron (B-17, B-24) Howard December 11, 1941 - ? 40th BG, 45th BS (LB-30, B-24A) November 13, 1942–February 18, 1943 6th AF Bomber Command, 3rd BS (B-17) March 12 - April1, 1943 returns June 11, 1943-April 1944, returns Dec 8, 1944 - Oct 28, 1945 6th BG, 3rd BS (B-24) Talara March 12 - April 1, 1943 Talara returns April 6 Howard On July 13, 1943, there was an accident at this airfield that claimed the life of 12 airmen when their B-17 Flying Fortress stalled during approach and crashed in the runway. Postwar Renewed and modernized to improve its facilities and is now used for civilian flights. Today Still in use today as Enrique Malek International Airport as a civilian airport and airport of entry. Also known as simply Enrique Airport. The single runway is oriented 22/04 measures 6,890' x 148' surfaced with asphalt. Airport codes: ICAO: MPDA IATA: DAV. Today, Enrique Airport is the second largest airport in Panama. References Alae Supra Canalem page 20 (map) Contribute
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