Pilar Airfield

The primary reason for closure was the cessation of its military necessity. Pilar Airfield was a wartime expedient field built for military operations during World War II. With the end of the war and the departure of military forces, there was no longer a strategic need for the airfield. The land was subsequently returned to civilian use and was gradually repurposed for agriculture and residential development over the following decades.

The site of the former Pilar Airfield is no longer an active or recognizable airport. The original runway's path has been largely converted into a local concrete and dirt road, which is still referred to by locals as 'Runway Road'. The surrounding area has been extensively developed, with the former airfield grounds now occupied by residential subdivisions (like Celis Subdivision) and agricultural land, primarily rice paddies. There are no remnants of any airport infrastructure such as hangars, a control tower, or terminal buildings. The only evidence of its past is the long, straight alignment of the road that cuts through the landscape, clearly visible on satellite imagery.

Pilar Airfield holds significant historical importance related to World War II in the Philippines.

- **Pre-War Construction:** It was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (specifically the 803rd Engineer Battalion) prior to the outbreak of the war in the Pacific.
- **Battle of Bataan (1941-1942):** It served as a crucial forward airfield during the defense of Bataan. It was home to the Philippine Army Air Corps (PAAC) 6th Pursuit Squadron, which operated Boeing P-26 Peashooter fighter aircraft in December 1941.
- **USAAF Operations:** During the battle, the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) used the field for vital, albeit limited, reconnaissance missions over Japanese-occupied areas, utilizing aircraft such as the Stearman PT-13 and a Grumman J2F Duck amphibian.
- **Japanese Capture:** The airfield was overrun and captured by the Imperial Japanese Army in January 1942 and was subsequently used by Japanese air units during their occupation.

It stands as a silent witness to the desperate fighting during the Battle of Bataan and the early stages of the Pacific War.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Pilar Airfield. The extensive residential and agricultural development directly on and adjacent to the former runway makes any such project logistically and financially unfeasible. It would require massive land acquisition and demolition. Furthermore, there is no modern strategic or commercial demand for an airfield at this specific location, as the region is served by larger, more capable airports like Subic Bay International Airport (RPLB).