03 Dec The History of Howard Air Force Base and Panama Pacifico
By Natalie Warner
The former Canal Zone of Panama is rich with US Military history. Present day Panama Pacifico is no exception. Formally known as Howard Air Force Base, this area of Panama has been in use for nearly 100 years.
The original name of the base was Bruja Point Military Reservation back in 1928. It became an official air base in 1939. Henry H. Arnold, the only 5 star general in US Air Force (USAF) history, suggested naming the base after Major Charles H. Howard. Howard was a former subordinate who served in Panama from 1926-1929. The base officially became known as Howard Airfield on December 1939 and was later renamed Howard Air Force Base in 1948. The USAF being officially recognized as its own military branch influenced the name change.
Howard Air Force Base was in use for USAF purposes from 1948-1950 and from 1963-1999. The period in between, the base was inactivated and turned over to the US Army.
The base housed fighter and bomber aircraft during World War II. It was the hub for the USAF for South America. In its prime, its primary operations included counter drug detail, joint-nation exercises, search and rescue operations. It was also the theater airlift for United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM).
The runway is 8,5000 ft (2,600m) long and is the only jet capable US field south of Rio Grande. It was built on 5,000 acres (2023ha) of land and is constructed 500 (457m) yards from Pacific Ocean. Military use discontinued on November 1, 1999 as part of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties. These treaties specified that US military facilities be turned over to the Panamanian Government.
This area is now known as Panama Pacifico. The airport reopened in 2014 and is known as Panama Pacifico International Airport (BLB). Wingo Airlines uses this airport. They are a discount airline whose hub is in Bogota, Colombia. Wingo provides another option for anyone wanting to fly from Panama to Colombia. Fun fact: the James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace used the base as a double for an airport in Bolivia.
Panama Pacifico is a developing area for residential, commercial, and recreational use. The area is quickly growing technology companies are building call centers. One of the best known companies is Dell Computer, which has a call center at Panama Pacifico.
Panama Pacifico International Airport has had a long history via its many name changes. What was originally used as a US military base is now a thriving entity of Panama that serves many functions.