Murtha Airfield

The facility was not closed in the sense of abandonment but was repurposed. Its function as a US military airfield ('Murtha Airfield') ceased with the end of World War II. It was subsequently turned over to the Philippine government and converted into a domestic civilian airport to serve the transportation needs of the province of Occidental Mindoro.

The site of the former Murtha Airfield is the location of the modern and fully operational San Jose Airport (IATA: SJI, ICAO: RPUH). It is the main airport serving the municipality of San Jose and the entire province of Occidental Mindoro. The airport handles scheduled domestic commercial flights, primarily connecting to Manila, operated by carriers like Cebu Pacific. It is a vital transportation link for commerce, tourism, and local residents.

Murtha Airfield was a major US military airfield constructed during World War II and was a critical strategic asset during the liberation of the Philippines. It was part of a large complex of airfields built by US Army Engineer Aviation Battalions around San Jose, Mindoro, following the Allied landings in December 1944. The main strip, initially called McGuire Field, was built in just 13 days. These airfields, including Murtha, served as a forward base for fighter and bomber groups (such as the Fifth Air Force) to launch strikes against Japanese forces on the island of Luzon, which was crucial for General MacArthur's return. The airfield hosted numerous squadrons of P-38s, P-47s, B-24s, and B-25s. After the war, its robust infrastructure made it the ideal site for the region's primary civilian airport.

The airport is fully operational and not closed; therefore, there are no 'reopening' plans. However, there are ongoing and potential future plans for its development and modernization. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) often includes regional airports like San Jose in its infrastructure upgrade programs. These plans typically involve runway rehabilitation, terminal building improvements, and the installation of new air navigation and safety equipment to accommodate growing passenger traffic and enhance operational capabilities.