Bayug Airfield

Military Decommissioning. Bayug Airfield was a temporary forward airbase constructed by the United States Army during World War II for a specific military campaign. Following the successful conclusion of the Battle of Leyte and the advancement of Allied forces, the airfield was no longer strategically necessary and was abandoned. It was not designed for permanent or civilian use, and its function was replaced by larger, more established airbases in the Philippines.

The site of the former Bayug Airfield has been entirely reclaimed for civilian and agricultural use. The land where the runway, taxiways, and hardstands once existed is now covered by rice paddies, coconut groves, and other farmland. While the faint, straight-line outline of the main runway can still be discerned from satellite imagery, no original buildings, runway surfaces, or other military infrastructure remain. The area is integrated into the local landscape with small access roads and scattered rural housing.

Bayug Airfield holds significant historical importance as a key component of the Allied effort during the liberation of the Philippines in World War II.

- **Construction and Purpose:** It was one of several airfields (including Buri, San Pablo, and Dulag) in the Burauen area, rapidly constructed by U.S. Army Aviation Engineer Battalions, such as the 836th, in late 1944 after the American landings on Leyte. Construction was notoriously difficult due to torrential rains and deep mud, which severely hampered operations.

- **Operations:** The airfield was primarily used by the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) Fifth Air Force. It served as a base for fighter groups providing critical air support for ground troops, conducting patrols, and engaging Japanese forces.

- **Notable Units:** It hosted several notable fighter units, including:
- The 49th Fighter Group, flying P-38 Lightning aircraft.
- The 348th Fighter Group, flying P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft.

- **Role in Leyte Campaign:** The aircraft operating from Bayug and its neighboring fields were instrumental in securing air superiority over Leyte, protecting naval assets, and supporting the U.S. Sixth Army's ground campaign against Japanese forces.

- **Note on Identifier:** The ICAO code 'PH-0604' is a modern, unofficial identifier likely assigned for use in flight simulator scenery or non-governmental aviation databases. It was not the airfield's historical designation during its operational period.

None. There are no known or credible plans to reopen or redevelop Bayug Airfield. The land has been privately owned and used for agriculture for over 75 years. The aviation needs of the province of Leyte and the Eastern Visayas region are served by the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport (IATA: TAC, ICAO: RPVA) in Tacloban City, which is the main commercial gateway. There is no economic or logistical justification for re-establishing an airport at the Bayug site.