Mariveles Airfield

Post-war military consolidation and subsequent economic redevelopment. After WWII, US air power in the Philippines was centralized at larger, more strategic bases like Clark Air Base, making smaller tactical airfields like Mariveles redundant. The land was later identified as a prime location for the Bataan Export Processing Zone (BEPZ), now the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB), leading to its complete conversion for industrial and commercial purposes.

The site of the former airfield is now completely unrecognizable as an aviation facility. It is fully integrated into the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB), a sprawling industrial park and special economic zone. The land where the runway and taxiways once were is now occupied by factories, warehouses, administrative buildings, roads, and other infrastructure supporting the manufacturing and logistics companies operating within the freeport.

Mariveles Airfield holds significant historical importance from World War II. It was a crucial pre-war US Army Air Forces (USAAF) base and one of the last operational airfields during the Battle of Bataan in early 1942. It primarily hosted fighter aircraft, most notably the P-40 Warhawks of the 24th Pursuit Group. Pilots flying from Mariveles conducted desperate defensive missions against overwhelming Japanese airpower, defending Bataan and the island of Corregidor. The airfield was subjected to intense bombing by the Japanese, was eventually captured along with the Bataan Peninsula, and was later used by Japanese forces. It was recaptured by American forces during the liberation of the Philippines in 1945.

There are zero prospects for reopening the original Mariveles Airfield, as the site has been entirely built over. However, the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) has long-term development plans that include the construction of a new airport within the freeport's jurisdiction. This proposed airport would be a modern facility designed to support cargo logistics and business/executive travel for the numerous companies in the FAB. While frequently mentioned in development master plans and news reports as a strategic goal to enhance the freeport's competitiveness, there is currently no definitive timeline or active construction for this new airport project.