Marcos A. Gelabert International Airport (Panama City)

Panama / Ancyn / Panama City
Local Airport serving Panama city's domestic air travel, located in Albrook. Former Albrook Air Force Base.

Originally named Albrook Field. Established in 1930 and opened for flight operations on 1 May 1932. Named for Lt. Frank P. Albrook who was killed in a flying accident at Chanute Field, IL, in 1924.

It was located on the east side of the Panama Canal just south of Fort Clayton and north of the township of Balboa, Panama.

AAFES operated an "Albrook Mall" in various buildings that was one of the primary shopping areas available to US troops stationed there (not just Air Force).

In 1966, elements of the famed 4080th SRW, home of the Lockheed U2 aircraft performed atmospheric sampling as the French detonated a nuclear device in the South Pacific.

The base saw action again during the 1989 United States invasion of Panama, including an extended firefight at its front gate.

After the base was turned over to the Republic of Panama in October 1997, it was converted to a civilian airport (effectively replacing the old Paitilla Airport). A number of shops and markets operate out of some of the old buildings and hangars, and most of the officers quarters are now private homes.

Runway 1800 x 30 meters (5906 x 98 feet)
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albrook_Air_Force_Base
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   8°58'24"N   79°33'26"W

Comments

  • During the 70s, most flight operations came from the US Army's 210th Aviation Battalion stationed at Albrook Army Airfield (opposite side of the airstrip)
This article was last modified 12 years ago