Albrook Air Force Station
Albrook Air Force Station is a former United States Air Force facility in Panama. It was closed on 30 September 1997 as a result of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties which specified that United States military facilities in the former Panama Canal Zone be closed and the facilities be turned over to the Panamanian government. It was located on the east side of the Panama Canal just south of Fort Clayton and north of the township of Balboa, Panama. Beginning in January 1999, the air field initiated civilian air service as Albrook "Marcos A. Gelabert" International Airport.
Major commands to which assigned
- Panama Canal Department, 1932- 19 October 1940
- Panama Canal Air Force, 19 October 1940 - 5 August 1941
- Caribbean Air Force, 5 August 1941 - 18 September 1942
- Sixth Air Force, 18 September 1942 - 31 July 1946
- Caribbean Air Command, 31 July 1946 - 8 July 1963
- United States Air Forces Southern Command, 8 July 1963 - 1 January 1976
- Tactical Air Command
- Tactical Air Command, 11 February - 31 May 1992
- Air Combat Command, 31 May 1992 - 30 September 1997
Major units assigned
- 16th Pursuit Group
- 19th Composite Wing, 25 January 1933
- 37th Pursuit (later Fighter) Group
- Headquarters, Panama Canal Air Force, 20 November 1940
- 12 Pursuit Wing, 10 November 1940 – 6 March 1942
- 32d Pursuit Group
- VI Bomber Command, 25 October 1941 – 1 November 1946
- XXVI Fighter Command, 6 March 1942 - 25 August 1946
- 1st Communications Squadron, Air Support, 23 April 1942-April 1943
- 40th Bombardment Group, 16 September 1942 - 3 June 1943
- 6th Bombardment Group, 14 January - 1 November 1943
- Sixth Air Force Base Command
- 1st Depot Repair Squadron, 6 May 1943 – 7 December 1944
- 314th Troop Carrier Group, 1 October 1946 - 10 March 1948
- 5700th Composite Wing
- 24th Composite Wing, 8 November 1967 - 3 January 1968
- 830th Air Division, 1 January 1976 – 15 August 1977; 1 March 1989 – 15 February 1991
Post USAF use
In September 1997, the base was turned over to Panama. It was then refurbished with an operations / control tower constructed; also a passenger terminal. In January 1999, the domestic/commercial Albrook "Marcos A. Gelabert" International Airport was relocated to Albrook from Punta Paitilla. The airport is under Panama's Civil Aeronautics Authority.A number of shops, markets, mall and government agencies operate out of some of the old buildings and hangars, and most of the officers quarters are now private homes.
The Civil Aviation Authority has its headquarters in Building 805.