Tanauan Airfield

Military abandonment following the end of World War II. Tanauan Airfield was constructed as a temporary combat airstrip by the U.S. Army during the Leyte Campaign. Once the war concluded and its strategic military purpose was fulfilled, it was no longer maintained as an active airfield. The primary aviation needs of the region were consolidated at the nearby Tacloban Airfield (now Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport), which was developed for larger, long-term use.

The site is no longer an airport and is unrecognizable as such from the ground. However, the faint outline of the main runway is still visible in satellite imagery. The land has been completely repurposed. A large portion of the former airfield, particularly its northern section, is now the site of the Tanauan Resettlement Site (also known as Tanauan Ecoville), a major housing project built to relocate families displaced by the devastating Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in 2013. The Pan-Philippine Highway (AH26) also cuts directly across the former runway. The remaining areas are used for agriculture and smaller residential structures.

Tanauan Airfield holds significant historical importance as a key U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) base during the liberation of the Philippines in World War II. Constructed with incredible speed by U.S. Army Engineers in late October 1944, just days after the American landings on Leyte, it became one of the first operational airfields. It was crucial for establishing air superiority over Japanese forces. The airfield primarily handled fighter aircraft, hosting famous units such as the 49th Fighter Group (flying P-38 Lightnings) and the 348th Fighter Group (flying P-47 Thunderbolts). These units flew missions providing close air support for ground troops, intercepting Japanese aircraft, and protecting Allied naval fleets during the pivotal Battle of Leyte.

Zero. There are no plans or prospects for reopening Tanauan Airfield. The land is now permanently occupied by a large housing community and a national highway, making any restoration as an airfield impossible. The aviation needs of Tanauan and the surrounding province of Leyte are fully served by the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport (Tacloban Airport), which is located just a few kilometers to the north.