San Miguelito Airstrip

Military Conversion for National Security. The airstrip was closed by the Mexican federal government to be converted into a permanent military installation for the Mexican Guardia Nacional (National Guard). This decision was a direct response to the November 4, 2019, ambush and massacre of nine members of the LeBaron and Langford families (dual U.S.-Mexican citizens) by cartel gunmen near the community of La Mora. The base was established to provide a significant, permanent security presence to combat organized crime and protect the population in this remote and strategic border region.

The site of the former San Miguelito Airstrip is now fully occupied by a military barracks and operations center for the Mexican Guardia Nacional. The original runway and airfield infrastructure have been replaced by the buildings, training grounds, and security perimeters of the military installation. The base is active and serves as a key command post for security operations in northeastern Sonora.

San Miguelito Airstrip was a small, privately operated dirt/gravel airfield. Its primary function was to serve the remote agricultural and ranching communities in the mountainous region of Bavispe, Sonora. It was a vital piece of infrastructure for the local population, including the Mormon offshoot community of La Mora. Operations consisted of general aviation flights for private transport of personnel and goods, medical evacuations, and providing access for business related to local ranches. For a region with challenging road access, the airstrip was a critical link to larger cities and essential services.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the site as a civilian airstrip. Its conversion into a strategic military installation is considered a permanent change driven by national security priorities. The federal government's commitment to maintaining a strong security presence in the region means the site will remain under military control for the foreseeable future.