Clark Air Base

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Clark Air Base

Part of United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF)
Located at Angeles City, Luzon Island, Philippines

Clark AB Main Gate


Location of Clark Air Base
Type Air Base
Coordinates 15°11′09″N 120°33′37″E / 15.18583, 120.56028
Built 1 September 1903
Built by United States
In use 1903-
Current
owner		 Philippine Goverment
Controlled by United States Air Force and Philippine Air Force
Clark Air Base, 1975.
Clark Air Base, 1975.
For the civil use of this facility after December 1991, see Clark Freeport Zone

Clark Air Base is a former United States Air Force base on Luzon Island in the Philippines, located 3 miles west of Angeles City, about 40 miles northwest of Metro Manila.

Contents

[edit] Overview

Clark Air Base was an American military facility from 1903 to 1991. The base covered 14.3 square miles (37 km²) with a military reservation extending north that covered another 230 square miles (596 km²). The base was a stronghold of American forces during the end of World War II, and until 1975, it was a backbone of logistical support during the Vietnam War.

[edit] History

Clark Air Base (1957-1991) was named in honor of Major Harold M. Clark (1890-1919). A native of St. Paul, Minnesota, Maj Clark grew up in the Philippines, was commissioned in the cavalry in 1913, and later transferred to the Aviation Section of the Air Service. He subsequently commanded an aero squadron in Hawaii, setting numerous records as the first military aviator in the islands. Major Clark became executive officer of the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps in Panama, and died when the Curtis HS2LS flying boat he was piloting crashed into the gates of the Miraflores Locks in the Panama Canal on 2 May 1919.

Other names of Clark Air Base have been:

  • Fort Stotsenburg (Camp Stotsenburg), 1 September 1903 - 1 September 1919
  • Clark Field, 1 September 1919 - 20 December 1941
  • Army Air Base (AAB) Clark Field, 10 September 1945 - 26 March 1948
  • Clark Air Force Base, 26 March 1948 - 3 December 1957

The original Clark Field was only a part of Fort Stotsenburg. After U.S. forces recaptured the area in 1945 the name Clark was applied to the entire Fort Stotsenburg area. This was recognized officially in 1948 when all of that reservation became Clark Air Force Base.

Clark Field was occupied by the Imperial Japanese Army between 20 December 1941 - 10 February 1945.

[edit] Major Units Assigned

[edit] Pre World War II (1919 - 1940)

Redesignated 3d Squadron*, 14 May 1921 - 25 January 1923
Redesignated 3d Pursuit Squadron*, 25 January 1923 - 16 June 1938
28th Bombardment Squadron*, 16 June 1938 - 24 December 1941

[edit] World War II (1941)

  • Philippine Department Air Force (September - October 1941)
    Redesignated Far East Air Force (28 October - 24 December 1941)
    • V Bomber Command, 14 November - 24 December 1941
    • 20th Pursuit Squadron, July - December 1941 (P-40B)
    • 14th Bombardment Squadron 16 September 1941 - 1 January 1942 (B-17)
    • 24th Pursuit Group, 1 October - 20 December 1941 (P-40B)
    • 19th Bombardment Group, 26 October - 24 December 1941 (B-17)
    • 30th Bombardment Squadron 23d October - 20 December 1941 (B-17)
    • 93d Bombardment Squadron 23d October - 20 December 1941 (B-17)

[edit] World War II (1945)

[edit] Postwar Years (1946 - 1949)

  • 29th Air Service Group*, 16 February 1946 - 1 January 1947
  • 358th Air Service Group*, 1 January 1947 - 1 July 1949
  • 24th Air Depot Wing*, 1 July 1949 - 1 December 1950
    • 6204th Photo Mapping Squadron, 16 September 1949 - 1 June 1953
    • 6208th Depot Wing 17 December 1949 - 1 September 1952

[edit] Cold War (1950 - 1991)

  • 6200th Air Base Wing*, 1 December 1950 - 1 February 1953
    Redesignated 6200th Air Base Group, 1 Feb 1953 - 10 April 1959
    • 581 Air Resupply & Communications Wing 18 July 1952 - 7 September 1953
    • 24th Air Depot Wing, 1 September 1952 - 16 February 1954
    • 6424th Air Depot Wing 16 February - 25 November 1954
    • 26th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 11 November 1954 - 9 April 1959
    • 509th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 9 April 1959 - 24 July 1960
  • 405th Fighter Wing*, 10 April 1959 - 16 September 1974
    • 69th Military Airlift Support Group 8 July 1966 - 1 January 1972
  • 463d Tactical Airlift Wing 15 July 1968 - 31 December 1971
    • 29th Tactical Airlift Squadron (C-130B, Tail Code: QB)
    • 772d Tactical Airlift Squadron (C-130B, Tail Code: QF)
    • 773d Tactical Airlift Squadron (C-130B, Tail Code: QG)
    • 774th Tactical Airlift Squadron (C-130B, Tail Code: QW)
      Most aircraft deployed on rotating basis to Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam
  • 374th Tactical Airlift Wing (C-130) 15 November 1973 - 30 June 1989
    • 20th Aeromedical Airlift Squadron (C-9)
    • 21st Tactical Airlift Squadron (C-130H)
  • 3d Tactical Fighter Wing*, 16 September 1974 - 19 December 1991

.* Performed Host Unit Mission

[edit] Major Commands to Which Assigned

[edit] Pre-World War II

  • War Department, 1903 - 1917
  • Philippine Department, 1917 - 1919
  • The Adjutant General of the Army, Department of the Philippines, 1919 - 4 August 1941
  • Air Forces, United States Army Forces in the Far East, 4 August - 20 September 1941
  • Philippines Dept Air Force, 20 September - 20 December 1941
Redesignated Far East Air Force, 20 -24 December 1941

[edit] Post-World War II

  • Sixth Army, 16 February - 15 May 1945
  • Eighth Army, 15 May - 1 June 1945
  • Far East Air Force, 1 June - 6 December 1945
Redesignated Pacific Air Command, USA, 6 December 1945 - 1 January 1947
Redesignated United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), 1 July 1957 - 19 December 1991

[edit] Operational History

See also: History of Clark Air Base

[edit] Origins

Clark Air Base was originally established as Fort Stotsenburg in Sapang Bato, Angeles in 1903 under control of the U.S. Army. Officers' quarters and water system constructed 1910-1911 and a flying school was created in 1912. Construction of steel hangars and a dirt air strip 1917-1918; a portion of Ft Stotsenburg officially set aside for the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps and named Clark Fld, Sep 1919.

The 3d Aero Squadron was assigned to Clark Field in December 1919 and for the next decade functioned as an observer training unit flying a wide variety of mono and biplanes.

In 1922, the 28th Squadron (Bomb) was assigned as a defense force for the Philippines.

Clark served as a landing field for medium bombers and accommodated half of the heavy bombers stationed in the Philippines during the 1930s. In the late summer and fall of 1941, many aircraft were sent to Clark in anticipation of war with Imperial Japan. Six B-17Cs and 29 B-17Ds were serving with the 19th Bombardment Group based at Clark The 14th Bomb Squadron of the 19th Bombardment Group had been transferred to the Philippines in September of 1941 in a spectacular trans-Pacific flight to Clark Field, and two more squadrons had flown to Clark in October.

[edit] World War II - December 1941

Clark and its subordinate airfield at Del Monte were the only airfields in the Philippines capable of heavy bomber operations at the outbreak of World War II.

News of the Pearl Harbor attack was received at about 3 AM on Dec 8 in the Philippines. According to the previously-agreed upon plan, if hostilities were to break out, an attack on Japanese bases in Formosa was to be immediately carried out by the 19th Bombardment Group's Fortresses. On Dec 8, there were 35 USAAC B-17s in the Philippines, with two squadrons at Clark Field on Luzon with a total of 19 planes, and two squadrons at Del Monte on Mindanao 500 miles to the south with the other 16 B-17s.

For reasons which are still unclear even today, the planned raid on Formosa was delayed. Instead, in order to prevent them from being destroyed on the ground by a Japanese air attack, all flyable B-17s based at Clark Field had been ordered into the air and to patrol the waters around Luzon. In the meantime, General Lewis H. Brereton, General MacArthur's air commander, finally got approval to carry out the strike against Japanese bases on Formosa, and the B-17s were recalled to Clark. When the Fortresses returned to Clark, three of them were equipped with cameras for reconnaissance and the remainder were loaded up with 100-lb and 300-lb bombs in preparation for the planned mission to Formosa.

The three reconnaissance B-17s were taxiing out for the initial photographic mission to Formosa when about 200 Japanese aircraft struck. Unfortunately, all the P-40 fighters had been recalled for refuelling and were on the ground. . At the end of the day's action it was apparent that the Japanese had won a major victory. The effective striking power of Far East AF had been destroyed, the fighter strength had been seriously reduced, most B-17 maintenance facilities were demolished, and about 80 men were killed. The sole surviving B-17 had not taken off on the morning alert, and had been taken up in the air while the rest were being prepared for the Formosa raid. The Fortresses at Del Monte 500 miles to the south were out of range of the Zeros from Formosa and were left untouched.

At Clark Field, three or four of the damaged B-17s were put back into service. They were joined by the B-17s from Del Monte. By December 9, reconnaissance missions were being undertaken by the 19th Bombardment Group in search of the Japanese fleet. Also, the 17th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 24th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), based at Nichols Field were transferred tp Clark with P-40's.

On December 10, a Japanese convoy was spotted, and five B-17s were dispatched. This was the first American bombardment mission of World War II. No fighter opposition was encountered, and some hits were recorded on the transports.

That same day, a B-17C piloted by Captain Colin P. Kelly dropped bombs from high altitude on what the crew thought to be a Japanese battleship. Hits were recorded, and a tremendous explosion was observed. Kelly's plane was immediately pounced upon by Zeros, one of which was flown by Saburo Sakai, who was later to become a famous ace. Kelly guided his heavily-damaged plane back towards Clark Field. He ordered the crew to parachute to safety, but before Kelly himself could leave, the aircraft exploded and Kelly was killed.

When the surviving crew was questioned, the report was flashed out that they had sunk the Japanese battleship Haruna, and the mission was hailed as a great victory. Captain Kelly was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by President Franklin Roosevelt for his heroism, and was written up in glowing press reports. However, information revealed in the immediate postwar years revealed that the Haruna was nowhere near the area at that time and that the ship most likely struck was the cruiser Ashigari, and it was only fairly lightly damaged by the attack.

On 12 December, about 100 Japanese aircraft again hit Clark. The airfield is severely damaged and plans were made to evacuate the facility. On the 19th, the air echelon of the 93d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy) were transferred from Clark to Batchelor Field near Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia with B-17's. The ground echelon is attached to the 5th Interceptor Command (Provisional) and sent to fight as infantry on Luzon and Mindanao Islands. On Christmas Eve, HQ 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the air echelon of the 28th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) were transferred from Clark to Batchelor Field with B-17's. The ground echelon of the 28th were dispatched to fight as infantry on Luzon and Mindanao.

The remaining aircraft and personnel at Clark were evacuated to Australia by 31 Dec 1941. The base was overrun by Japanese forces less than a week later in early January, 1942.

[edit] Japanese Occupation Period January 1942 - January 1945

During the period of Japanese occupation, Clark was known as Mabalacat Airfield, and several auxiliary airfields constructed and used. Lilly Hill, located near the center of the base, was excavated to allow tunnels to be built into its sides for the storage of fuel and munitions in an attempt to protect them from air raids.

The airfield was fortified with several Type 88 75 mm AA Guns. Several USAAF B-24 Liberator bombers flying over Clark were shot down by these weapons.

With the surrender of Battan and the infamous Bataan Death March in April, 1942, American and Phillipino prisoners were marched past the main gate of the airfield.

In late 1944, with the tide of the war turning against the Japanese, Vice Admiral Takijirō Ōnishi decided to form a suicide attack force, the Special Attack Unit. In a meeting at Mabalacat, on October 19, 1944, Onishi told officers of the 201st Flying Group headquarters: that he believed the only way to retain control of the Philippines was to put a 250 kg bombs on Zero fighter planes and crash them into U.S. carriers, to wreak havoc on the U.S. Fleet and disable them for weeks.

Commanded by Ōnishi, the first Kamikaze missions were launched from the occupied Clark Air Base. The first volunteers were 23 pilots of the Imperial Japanese Navy's 201st Kokutai, 1st Air Fleet. These were divided into four separate groups: Shikishima, Yamato, Asahi and the Yama Yukio Seki units.

At 07:25 October 25, 1944, the Shikishima unit departed Clark lead by Lieutenant Yokjo Seki. At 10:45am they attacked U.S. ships stationed at Leyte Island, Philippines during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Five Zeros, led by Seki, and escorted to the target by leading Japanese ace Hiroyoshi Nishizawa, attacked several escort carriers. One Zero attempted to hit the bridge of the USS Kitkun Bay but instead exploded on the port catwalk and cartwheeled into the sea. Two others dove at USS Fanshaw Bay but were destroyed by anti-aircraft fire. The last two ran at the USS White Plains, however one, under heavy fire and trailing smoke, aborted the attempt on the White Plains and instead banked toward the USS St. Lo, plowing into the flight deck. Its bomb caused fires that resulted in the bomb magazine exploding, sinking the carrier.

[edit] World War II - 1945

Clark Air Base was recaptured by Americans in January 1945 after three months of fierce fighting. elements of the Sixth U.S. Army cleared most Japanese from Ft Stotsenburg-Clark Fld area and flying activity commenced on least damaged runway while the field still drew Japanese fire, 25 Jan 1945; saboteurs and infiltrators sporadically damaged parked aircraft until 10 Feb 1945.

Clark was used as an operational base for several groups in the closing months of the war in the southwest Pacific. Operational units flying from Clark were:

  • 475th Fighter Group (P-38) - flew many missions to support ground forces on Luzon during the first part of 1945. Also flew escort missions to China and attacked railways on Formosa.
  • 22d Bombardment Group (Heavy) (B-24) - Bombed Japanese airfields, shipping, and oil installations in Borneo, Ceram, and Halmahera.
  • 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy) (B-24) - Struck industries, airfields, and installations in China and Formosa; and supported ground forces on Luzon.
  • 35th Fighter Group (P-51D) - Operated in support of ground forces on Luzon. Also escorted bombers and completed some fighter sweeps to Formosa and China.
  • 421st Night Fighter Squadron (P-61) - Flew night intruder missions against Japanese airfields and ground installations. Also provided protection of B-29 bases on Saipan against night attacks, and flew combat air patrols and interception missions.
  • 312th Bombardment Group (B-32) - Performed operational combat testing of Consolidated B-32 Dominator Bomber. The first combat mission took place on 29 May 1945 with a strike against a Japanese supply depot in Luzon's Cayagan Valley. This raid was followed by a series of attacks on Japanese targets in the Philippines, in Formosa, and on Hainan Island in the Tonkin Gulf.

[edit] Postwar Use

B-29 Superfortress
B-29 Superfortress
18th TFW F-51Ds In Korea
18th TFW F-51Ds In Korea

With the end of the war in September 1945, Clark became an immediate dumping ground for aircraft of all types from inactivating fighter and bomber units in the southwest Pacific. Aircraft were flown to Clark and the pilots (along with aircrews and maintenance and support personnel) would get on transports back to the United States for discharge. Many of the aircraft (some almost brand-new) were scrapped although low-hour planes were retained and flown back to the United States storage fields and mothballed.

The 20th Air Force 313th Bombardment Wing with four Boeing B-29 Superfortress (6th, 9th, 504th, 505th) Very Heavy bomb groups was reassigned from North Field, Tinian on 13 March 1946. Between 1946 and 15 June 1948, all of these groups were reassigned or inactivated:

  • 6th Bombardment Group -> Kadena AB, Okinawa (1 June 1947)
  • 9th Bombardment Group -> Harmon Field, Guam, (9 June 1947)
  • 504th Bombardment Group -> Inactivated 15 June 1946.
  • 505th Bombardment Group -> Inactivated 30 June 1946.

On March 14, 1947, the U.S. and the Philippines signed the Military Bases Agreement which provided for use of Clark Air Base until the year 2046 (later amended by the 1966 Rusk-Ramos agreement to 1991).

The 18th Fighter Group was assigned to Clark on 16 September 1947. The 18th was the major Far East Air Force unit in the Philippines in the immediate postwar years, flying a mixture of fighter (P/F-47, P/F-51, F-80), and reconnaissance (RB-29, RB-17G) aircraft. The 18th Flew patrols and trained with Lockheed F-80 Shooting Stars, with the distinction of being the first overseas fighter unit to be jet-equipped. On 20 January 1950, the wing was re-designated the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing. As a result of the Korean War, the 18th was reassigned from Clark to Pusan AB, South Korea on 1 Dec 1950.

During the Korean War, the 6204th Photo Mapping Squadron was deployed for three months in 1950 performing aerial mapping of both North and South Korea before being replaced. The unit flew adapted Boeing B-17s (as RB-17Gs) for photographic mapping by having its bombing equipment deleted and replaced by photographic equipment. Some cameras were installed in the nose and in the aft fuselage as well.

During the Koran War and First Indochina War (1950-1954), the 581st Air Resupply and communications Wing performed psychological warfare and unconventional operations. Conducted limited operations in French Indochina in 1953 with C-119, B-29, C-54, and C-118 aircraft.

During the immediate postwar years and throughout the 1950s, Clark's mission was that of a major supply and maintenance depot for Far East Air Forces (later Pacific Air Forces) along with being a command base with Headquarters, 13th Air Force taking up residence in 1949. 13th Air Force would remain at Clark until its closure in 1991.

The 39th Air Division at Misawa AB, Japan deployed the 26th, and later the 509th Fighter-Interceptor Squadrons to Clark from 1954 - 1960 flying North American F-86F & F-86D Sabres to provide air defense of the Philippine Islands.

[edit] 405th Fighter Wing

F-4C 64-0820 1st TFS 405th FW, Clark AB Feb 1975
F-4C 64-0820 1st TFS 405th FW, Clark AB Feb 1975

A change of mission occurred at Clark with the activation of the 405th Fighter Wing on 4 September 1959, replacing the 6200th Air Base Wing. The mission changed from that of being a support depot and maintenance facility to that of an operational fighter wing.

The mission of the 405th was to provide air defense and offensive fighter operations in the Philippines, Taiwan, and other Far Eastern points. The wing had numerous TDY squadrons attached over its operational lifetime at Clark. The following operational squadrons assigned to the wing were:

  • 8th Bombardment Squadron (18 Nov 1964 - 15 Jan 1968) (Martin B-57A, Yellow tail stripe)
  • 13th Bombardment Squadron (18 Nov 1964 - 15 Jan 1968) (Martin B-57A)
Both Squadrons reassigned to 35th TFW, Phan Rang Air Base, South Vietnam, January 1968. Tail coded PE, PK, PN, PQ and PV
  • 64th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (10 Jun 1966 - 15 Dec 1969)
    (Convair F-102A, Tail Coded "PE" Blue/Yellow noted as squadron colors.)
  • 509th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (9 Apr 1959 - 15 Dec 1969)
    (North American F-86D, Convair F-102A, Converted from F-86D to F-102A 10 Jun 1966. Tail Coded "PK" Red noted as squadron color.)
Both F-102 squadrons rotated between Clark and Bien Hoa Air Base and Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam. Rotational TDY also to Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. Inactivated December 1969.
  • 1st Test Squadron (30 April 1970 - 16 September 1974) (McDonnell F-4C/D)
    Tail Codes DS, PA and PN used. Operated in the test role for PACAF F-4 wings.
  • 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron (15 Dec 1972-16 Sep 1974) (McDonnell F-4D/E/G) (Tail Code: PH)
  • 774th Tactical Airlift Squadron (31 Dec 1971-15 Sep 1972) (C-130, C-118) (Tail Code: QW)

During the Vietnam War, the wing provided air defense training for Royal Thai Air Force personnel, from Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand from November 1961 - February 1966. From mid-1962 until the end of the conflict in Southeast Asia, the wing frequently deployed assigned and attached components to bases in Thailand and South Vietnam for air defense and combat operations under operational control of other organizations.

When not so involved, components trained in air defense and other tactical exercises in Taiwan and the Philippines. During Jul-Aug 1972, provided extensive flood relief to Philippine areas inundated by monsoon rains. During Feb-Mar 1973, provided medical, logistical, and administrative support for former American prisoners of war, on their way to the United States from North Vietnam.

[edit] 3d Tactical Fighter Wing

McDonnell Douglas F-4E-42-MC Phantom Serial 69-0275 of the 90th TFS/3d TFW Clark AFB, Philippines, 1979. Later, this aircraft was converted to the F-4G configuration. To AMARC as FP1024 3/25/1996. To Holloman AFB as QF-4G AF151. Expended 2/5/1998.
McDonnell Douglas F-4E-42-MC Phantom Serial 69-0275 of the 90th TFS/3d TFW Clark AFB, Philippines, 1979. Later, this aircraft was converted to the F-4G configuration. To AMARC as FP1024 3/25/1996. To Holloman AFB as QF-4G AF151. Expended 2/5/1998.
Northrup F-5E Tiger IIs of the 26th Training Aggressor Squadron at Clark AB. Serial 73-0847 in foreground was originally scheduled for shipment to the South Vietnamese Air Force, however the aircraft was retained by the USAF after the collapse of the South Vietnamese government in 1975. With the deactivation of the 26th TAS in 1990, this aircraft was sold to the Honduras Air Force.
Northrup F-5E Tiger IIs of the 26th Training Aggressor Squadron at Clark AB. Serial 73-0847 in foreground was originally scheduled for shipment to the South Vietnamese Air Force, however the aircraft was retained by the USAF after the collapse of the South Vietnamese government in 1975. With the deactivation of the 26th TAS in 1990, this aircraft was sold to the Honduras Air Force.

After the end of the Vietnam War, the 3d Tactical Fighter Wing was reassigned to Clark without personnel or equipment from Kunsan AB, South Korea on 16 September 1974, replacing the 405th Fighter Wing which was inactivated in place.

The 3d TFW assumed the mission of the former 405th and provided tactical air defense of the Philippines. It participated in frequent operational exercises and evaluations. Between 5 April and 31 May, 1975, the wing used its facilities as a staging area for Operations Baby Lift (evacuation of Vietnamese Orphans from South Vietnam to the United States) and New Life (Evacuation of Vietnamese Adults to the United States for resettlement). Provided PACAF aircrews with realistic training in dissimilar aerial combat and current intelligence on enemy air-to-air capabilities and tactics, 1976-1989.

Operational squadrons of the 3d TFW were:

  • 1st Test Squadron (16 September 1974 - 30 September 1978) (F-4E) (PN)
  • 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron (16 September 1974 - 16 December 1991)(F-4E/G) (PN, Red tail stripe)
    Converted to "Wild Weasel" role in 1979 when converting to F-4G.
  • 3d Tactical Fighter Squadron (1 December 1975 - 16 December 1991) (F-4E) (PN, Blue tail stripe)
  • 26th Aggressor Squadron (2 January 1976 - 21 February 1990) (T-38/F-5E)

Transient aircraft of many types, especially cargo jets, were very common. Fighter planes regularly visited to participate in aerial warfare exercises at Crow Valley about 30 miles (50 km) to the northwest.

Clark was served regularly by cargo and passenger flights to and from Andersen AFB, Guam; Kadena AB, Japan; Diego Garcia; Jakarta, Indonesia; and Saigon, Vietnam (until 1975). During the 1970s, passengers arrived via Trans International Douglas DC-8 flights from Travis AFB, California (via Honolulu and Guam).

By 1980, the base had grown to such an extent that weekly Flying Tigers Boeing 747 service to St. Louis (via Kadena AB Japan; Anchorage; and Los Angeles) had begun. The 747 service was taken over by Tower Air sometime in the late 1980s, and was augmented with a weekly Hawaiian Airlines L-1011 or Douglas DC-8 to Guam-Honolulu-Los Angeles.

The Wing deployed six F-4Es to Turkey for Operation Desert Storm in early 1991 where they flew some of that aircraft's last combat sorties.

[edit] Cope Thunder

Douglas A-4K Skyhawk aircraft of No. 75 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force, are serviced on the flight line during Exercise COPE THUNDER '84-7 on 10 Sep 1984 at Clark Air Base
Douglas A-4K Skyhawk aircraft of No. 75 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force, are serviced on the flight line during Exercise COPE THUNDER '84-7 on 10 Sep 1984 at Clark Air Base
C-130B of the 463d TAW at Ton Son Nuht AB, SVN, 1969
C-130B of the 463d TAW at Ton Son Nuht AB, SVN, 1969

Cope Thunder was a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored exercise initiated at Clark in 1976 which was devised as a way to give aircrews from across Asia their first taste of warfare. The exercise quickly grew into PACAF’s "premier simulated combat airpower employment exercise."

Prior to Operation Desert Storm, less than one-fifth of the U.S. Air Force’s primary fighter pilots had seen actual combat. While the percentage of combat-experienced pilots has increased in recent years, with the end of the Vietnam War a high percentage of had not been thrust into combat. Analysis indicates most combat losses occurred during an aircrew’s first eight to 10 missions. Therefore, the goal of Cope Thunder was to provide each aircrew with these first vital missions, increasing their chances of survival in combat environments.

Each Cope Thunder exercise was a multi-service, multi-platform coordinated, combat operations exercise and corresponds to the designed operational capability of participating units. In other words, exercises involved several units whose military mission may differ significantly from that of other participating units. Cope Thunder planners took those factors into consideration when designing exercises so participants received the maximum training possible without being placed at an unfair advantage during simulated combat scenarios.

[edit] Tactical Airlift

Between 1968 and 1989, PACAF, and starting in 1974, Military Airlift Command operated a theater airlift capability from Clark.

The 463d Tactical Airlift Wing rotated C-130 squadrons between Clark and Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. After the war, the 374th Tactical Airlift Wing operated C-130s within the theater, as well as Aeromedical Evacuation flights.

[edit] US Withdrawal

See also: Mount Pinatubo
Hangars at Clark Air Base destroyed by ashfall from Pinatubo eruption
Hangars at Clark Air Base destroyed by ashfall from Pinatubo eruption

The overthrow of President Marcos in the Philippines in 1986 had led to a souring of relations between the islands and the United States. The Philippine Senate rejected an agreement made between the administration of then-president Corazon Aquino and the US to extend the American lease on the facility, arguing that the terms offered were not sufficiently generous. The US military had warned that if an agreement was not reached in time for the military to complete a full withdrawal, it would end negotiations and begin preparing to leave.

Clark Air Base was completely evacuated beginning June 10, 1991, as a result of the Mount Pinatubo eruption. Aircraft assigned to the 3d TFW were flown to Kadena AB, Okinawa and Andersen AFB, Guam. The eruption of Mount Pinatubo caused considerable damage, raising the cost of staying considerably and making it even less likely that the US would offer more generous terms to remain. With no agreement in sight the US ended negotiations and began shutting down Clark.

The 3d Tactical Fighter Wing was placed on non-operational status with the evacuation of Clark in June 1991.

  • The 3d TFS was inactivated 19 December 1991 at Clark. Moved w/o/p/e and reassigned to 343d FW, Eileson AFB, Alaska as 3d Fighter Training squadron.
  • The 90th TFS inactivated 29 May 1991 at Clark. Moved w/o/p/e and reassigned to 21st TFW, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska as an F-15E Squadron

In November 1991, the United States Air Force lowered the Stars and Stripes and transferred Clark Air Base to the Philippine government. On 16 December the 3d Tactical Fighter Wing was inactivated in place, ending the United States military presence at Clark Air Base.

With the United States' withdrawal from Clark, the base was systematically looted and was left abandoned for several years.

[edit] Post 1991 Military Use

A C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan, arrives to participate in exercise Balikatan 2004.
A C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan, arrives to participate in exercise Balikatan 2004.

Since the turnover of Clark to the Philippine government, USAF aircraft and personnel have occasionally visited the facility for joint exercises with the Philippine military forces.

[edit] Amenities

Clark Air Base was arguably the most urbanized military facility in history, and was the largest American base overseas. At its peak around 1990, it had a permanent population of 15,000.

[edit] Culture and recreation

Although the bars off-base in Angeles City were numerous and quite legendary, the servicemen's clubs on base provided alternatives. All three were large-scale operations: the Officer's Club (CABOOM) near the parade ground, the Top Hat Club for NCOs near Lily Hill (moved to near the Silver Wing around 1986), and the Coconut Grove Airmen's Club with indoor palm trees. The NCO Club was especially active and regularly brought major bands and artists from the United States to perform. Also at least a hundred sponsored clubs and organizations were active on the base, including Knights of Columbus, a Latino American club, martial arts dojos, and more. Two major movie theaters operated daily: the Bobbitt Theater which played first-run films, and the Kelly Theater which showed older releases. In the late 1960s and early 1970s movies were also shown at the Bamboo Bowl (the football stadium on base).

The Bamboo Bowl, later renamed Challenger Field, was used for the base's 11 man tackle football league which not only included teams from Clark but from Subic Naval Base as well.

To keep the residents entertained at home, Clark had a very active broadcast center called FEN, or Far East Network Philippines, a division of American Forces Network. The television station (Channel 8; moved to Channel 17 in 1981) showed about 20 hours per day of syndicated programs from the "big three" networks in the United States, with local news and talk programs. This content was locally syndicated until 1983 when programming from Los Angeles was put online. FEN also had two 24-hour radio stations: an AM station which broadcast news and popular music, and FM which was dedicated to easy-listening and classical music. However, with English common in Filipino broadcasting, off-base radio and TV tended to provide a lot of music and American TV fare that was not aired on FEN, such as Dukes of Hazzard and CHiPs.

Two popular events were the annual Chili Cookoff, held near the Silver Wing recreation center around September, and especially the Happening On the Green (referred to as "the HOG"). The HOG was a major carnival held on a designated weekend in February which attracted thousands of residents. Amusements and rides were built and operated not only by Filipino entertainment contractors but also by individual Air Force units seeking to boost unit morale, showcase their talents, and raise funds.

Clark's unique size and history allowed it to develop its own supernatural lore. By the 1970s, the Filipino "white lady" legend had established itself at Clark. Most variations of the story involved a young woman dressed in white who would hail a taxi late at night, and then would vanish from the vehicle enroute.

[edit] Education

The Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) operated six schools in Clark, serving children from kindergarten to twelfth grade.

  • Elementary schools (kindergarten-4th grades): MacArthur Elementary School, V. I. Grissom Elementary School, and Wurtsmith Elementary School.
  • Middle schools (5th-8th grades): Lily Hill Middle School, Wagner Middle School
  • High school: Wagner High School (previously known as Wurtsmith Memorial High School, and then Clark Dependent School before that)

Additionally, Clark was also home to a community college, namely the Pacific Far East Campus of Central Texas College.

[edit] Weather

Clark Air Base experienced two distinct seasons: a dry season from November through April, with a wet season from May through October. From 1953 to 1991, the mean daily low was 73.6°F and the mean daily high was 88.1°F, with April being warmest and January coolest. The average annual rainfall was 78.39 inches. Typhoons tended to approach from the east during the summer and fall. Many damaging storms struck the base, including Typhoon Irma on November 28, 1974 (generally considered to be the strongest one); Typhoon Rita on October 27, 1978; Typhoon Irma on November 24, 1981; Typhoon Ruby on October 25, 1988; and Typhoon Yunya on June 15, 1991 which coincided with the Mount Pinatubo blast. In July, 1972, central Luzon experienced a month of nearly continuous rain, resulting in 96 inches falling on the plain around Clark.

[edit] See also

Other United States Air Force installations in the Philippines:

[edit] References

  • Fletcher, Harry R. (1989) Air Force Bases Volume II, Active Air Force Bases outside the United States of America on 17 September 1982. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0912799536
  • Martin, Patrick (1994). Tail Code: The Complete History of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings. Schiffer Military Aviation History. ISBN 0887405134.
  • Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0892010924.
  • Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0912799129.
  • Rogers, Brian (2005). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. Hinkley, England: Midland Publications. ISBN 1-85780-197-0.
  • Sheftall, M.G. (2005). Blossoms in the Wind: Human Legacies of the Kamikaze. NAL Caliber, 480pp. ISBN 0-451-21487-0. 

[edit] External links


Coordinates: 15°11′09″N, 120°33′37″E

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