Ramey Air Force Base

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ramey AFB 13 October 1993

Ramey Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force Strategic Air Command bomber base in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Today, parts of the former Air Force Base are operated by the United States Coast Guard as CGAS Borinquen, and there is civilian general aviation airport use of the facility as Rafael Hernandez International Airport.

1 History
- 1.1 Origins and Military Use
- 1.2 Closing and Current Use
2 External links

[edit] History

[edit] Origins and Military Use

Ramey's origins go back to 1936, when the necessity for an air base in Puerto Rico was recognized and advocated by Army Air Corps officials as a logical extension of the air defense of the Panama Canal.

The Commandant of the Air Corps Tactical School forwarded to the Chief of the Air Corps a report pointing out that Puerto Rico was a "most valuable asset" of the for national defense, and recommending that an air base be established on the island.

In 1939, Major George C. Kenney was sent to Puerto Rico to conduct a preliminary survey of possible air base sites. In all, 42 sites were examined, and Major Kenney declared that Punta Borinquen was the best site for a major air base. A total of 3,796 acres (covered by planted sugar cane farms) were expropiated in 1939.

Later that year, Major Karl S Axtater assumed command of what was to become Borinquen Army Air Field. In a somewhat less than auspicious arrival, Axtater, upon landing the first aircraft ever at Borinquen's crude & unprepared runway, blew the tire on his plane's tail wheel, but no serious damage or injury resulted.

The first squadron based at Borinquen Field was the 27th Bombardment Squadron, consisting of nine B-18A Bolo bombers, arriving from Langley AAF, Virginia in late 1939.

In 1940, the air echelon of the 25th Bombardment Group (14 B-18A aircraft and 2 A-17 aircraft) arrived at the base from Langley Field.

On December 13, 1940, the infamous "Battle of Borinquen Field" took place. Strictly a misnomer, the "battle" consisted solely of an "alert" and the firing of machine guns by nervous guards against a non-existent enemy invasion force, which was in reality a friendly merchant vessel traveling inshore for protection. The "battle" lasted 15 minutes, and in the confusion, one woman was wounded.

Following World War II, Ramey was significantly expanded for its new role as a Strategic Air Command bomber base. From 1952-1959, the 72d Bombardment Wing, Heavy was equipped with the huge RB-36. Ramey later served as a B-52 base.

[edit] Closing and Current Use

In 1971, the Coast Guard relocated their aviation units from San Juan, and established Borinquen Coast Guard Air Station. The Coast Guard took possession of "an outstanding hangar with adjacent support facilities"^{[citation needed]}. Within the boundaries of the base are a housing area, clinic and dispensary, station library, community center, swimming pool, exchange, mini-mart, package store, gymnasium and other fitness facilities, chapel, and theater. In 1973, Ramey AFB was closed by the Air Force as a military facility.

The primary mission of Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen is search & rescue. Secondary missions include law enforcement, aerial support for ATON, and logistic support. To accomplish these missions, the Air Station has four HH-65A helicopters and four HU-25A jets.

CGAS Borinquen consists of two runways (the primary runway, 8/26, 11,700' long, is still maintained), a very large former B-52 dispersal parking area, ramps & numerous hangars.

In addition to the Coast Guard facility, the former Ramey AFB flight line is now operated as a general aviation airport, named Rafael Hernandez International Airport.