Howard Air Force Base, airport in Panama
Howard Air Force Base is a former US military installation near Balboa, Panama, featuring large runways, hangars, and administrative buildings spread across flat terrain near the Pacific Ocean. The site was home to various aircraft types, from fighter jets to transport planes and helicopters, with multiple taxiways and support facilities for flight operations.
The base was established in 1938 and became operational in 1940, named after pilot Charles H. Howard who served in the Canal Zone during the 1920s. After World War II it was modernized and remained active during the Cold War, until it was handed over to Panama in 1999 following the Torrijos-Carter treaties.
The site was once a hub of American military community life, with schools, chapels, and family housing that made it feel like a town within the base. Today, the abandoned structures still reflect how deeply this place shaped everyday life for thousands of people.
The site is on flat terrain with jungle and water nearby and can be explored on paths across the former installation. The best times to visit are the drier months, as the ground can become swampy during the rainy season.
The site is today known as Panamá Pacífico International Airport and serves civilian flights, a transformation showing how military installations evolved into economic centers. Former military buildings were converted into modern airport and business facilities.
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