Panama Pacifico International Airport (BLB/MPHO)

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Panama Pacifico International Airport, previously known as Howard Air Force Base (IATA: BLB, ICAO: MPHO), is an airport and former United States Air Force base located in Panama. Commercial airline service started in 2014, with VivaColombia being the first to begin operations.

Once the busy hub of Air Force operations in Latin America, Howard boasted fighters, cargo planes, tankers, airborne warning and control system planes, “executive” jets, and search and rescue helicopters. It was also home for a host of Army and Navy aircraft.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Air_Force_Base
Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_Pacifico_International_Airport
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   8°54'58"N   79°35'55"W

Comments

  • I added 3 pictures from to early 70s when I was stationed at Howard. It was a fun assignment, and only an 18 month tour for a single person. The flight line was always busy.
  • The statement that "only the C-27 Spartan transports and executive jets belonged to the wing. The others were Guard and Reserve planes that rotated into the base" may have been true toward the end of Howard's existance, but The 24th SOW had C-123s and A-37s that were USAFSO assets into the 70s.
  • I was stationed at Howard from 1984-1985 as an 0-2 mechanic as part of the 24 CAMS. The 0-2s were assigned to Howard as part of the 24th Wing. We were quite busy going tdy accompanying the acft and FAC pilots to remote locations within Central and South America. I was there when we received the OA-37s. I have numerous pictures but still need to scan and upload them.
This article was last modified 5 years ago