🇨🇺 McCalla Field

While there is no recent traveler review information for McCalla Field (CU-0015) as an active airport, it's important to note that McCalla Field ceased operations as an airfield around 1970 and has since been repurposed for other uses within the Naval Station, such as housing refugee camps and "Camp Justice" for military commissions. Travelers to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (GTMO) arrive at the Leeward Point Airfield (also referred to as the Naval Station's passenger terminal).

Overall, traveler sentiment for those authorized to access GTMO appears to be one of managed expectations for a military installation, with a focus on mission-critical travel. While the experience is highly regulated, the base offers a range of amenities.

What Travelers Love (Regarding travel to GTMO via the Naval Station Passenger Terminal):

• Structured Travel Process: For authorized personnel (military, DoD employees, contractors, dependents), the travel requirements and procedures via Air Mobility Command (AMC) are clear, albeit extensive, providing a defined pathway for entry.
• "Americanized" Base Amenities: Once on base, visitors have access to various facilities including dining options (galleys, fast food, restaurants), a commissary, exchange, hospital, fitness center, and recreational activities like scuba diving, bowling, and movies, creating a familiar environment.
• On-base Transportation: Bus services and car rentals are available for navigating the base, with free public transportation covering key areas and the ferry landing.
• Unique Experience: For some, the opportunity to visit GTMO is considered an "eye opening and fun" experience.

Common Complaints (Regarding travel to GTMO via the Naval Station Passenger Terminal):

• No Commercial Access/Strict Authorization: McCalla Field is not an operational airport, and access to GTMO is highly restricted, limited to officially authorized personnel, their dependents, and contractors. It is not open to general public commercial travel.
• Limited "Space Available" (Space A) Travel: While possible, Space A flights are frequently limited, requiring significant flexibility and making guaranteed travel difficult.
• Extensive Document Requirements & Check-in Times: Travelers must possess specific documents like passports, Letters of Authorization (LOAs), or official orders. Duty passengers are required to be in line 3 hours 20 minutes prior to departure.
• Ferry Transfer Required: Upon arrival at the Leeward Point Airfield, travelers typically need to take a ferry to reach the main part of the base on the Windward side.
• Isolation and Limited External Access: There is no access to the rest of Cuba from the Naval Station, contributing to a sense of isolation.
• Infrastructure Limitations: On-base resources for passport renewal are limited, mail delivery can take 1-4 weeks, and car repair facilities may lack equipment for newer vehicle models.

Overall, travel to Guantanamo Bay Naval Station is a highly controlled and specific experience, catering primarily to the needs of military and authorized personnel. While the journey involves strict protocols and some logistical hurdles, the base itself strives to provide a comprehensive, albeit isolated, "Americanized" environment for its residents and visitors.