Ramey Air Force Base

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Ramey Air Force Base

Part of Strategic Air Command (SAC)
Located near Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

13 October 1993
Type Air Force Base
Built 1936
In use 1936-1971
Controlled by Strategic Air Command
Garrison 72d Bombardment Wing

Ramey Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force Strategic Air Command bomber base in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. In addition to a small on-site Air Force detachment and occasional operations by the Puerto Rico Air National Guard, a portion of the former Air Force Base is operated by the United States Coast Guard as Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen. There is also civilian general aviation airport use of the facility, now known as Rafael Hernandez International Airport.

Contents

[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, then-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 expropriated 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 (SAC) bomber base. From 1952-1959, the 72d Bombardment Wing, Heavy was equipped with the huge RB-36. Ramey later served as a B-52 and KC-135 base.

[edit] Closing and Current Use

In 1971, the Coast Guard relocated their aviation units from San Juan, and established Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen. Coast Guard fact sheets and historical documents state that the Coast Guard took possession of, "...an outstanding hangar with adjacent support facilities," from the Air Force[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 an active Air Force facility, part of a post-Vietnam Reduction in Force that shuttered numerous air force bases.

As it was before the Air Force's departure, the primary mission of Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen remains 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 Dolphin helicopters and four HU-25 Guardian jets assigned, as well as periodically hosting Coast Guard HC-130H/J Hercules aircraft.

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, as well as 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 and supports numerous other government agencies such as the:

The US Army and the US Air Force also have active duty and reserve units stationed on the grounds. The former base is also home to the Ramey Sector of the US Border Patrol which covers all of Puerto Rico and an Immigration Detention Center run by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

[edit] External links