Orote Field, Former military airfield on Orote Peninsula, Guam.
Orote Field is a former military airfield situated on a flat section of the peninsula with remnants of World War II infrastructure visible across the grounds. Concrete runways and the shells of military buildings define the landscape of this abandoned facility.
Japanese forces constructed this airfield during their occupation of Guam from 1941 to 1944, using forced labor from the local population. After American forces regained control, the site remained in military use for decades.
The site holds traces of the Chamorro people who have lived on this peninsula for thousands of years. Today, walking across the grounds reveals how ancient settlement patterns exist alongside the later military structures.
The site is located within a military naval base and requires advance authorization for public access to most areas. Planning a visit means contacting the base administration beforehand to understand what parts are accessible.
In 1975, the field was repurposed as an emergency shelter for approximately 50,000 Vietnamese refugees fleeing their country during Operation New Life. This unexpected role added a humanitarian chapter to the site's military past.
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