Del Monte Airfield

The primary reason for its closure was the end of its military necessity following World War II. The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) consolidated its presence at other major bases in the Philippines (like Clark Air Base). The land, being privately owned by the Del Monte Corporation, was more valuable for its original purpose of pineapple cultivation than for maintaining an airfield with no strategic or commercial role in the post-war era.

The site of the former Del Monte Airfield has been fully reclaimed for agriculture and is now an integral part of the vast Del Monte Philippines pineapple plantation. Satellite imagery of the coordinates shows extensive, meticulously organized pineapple fields. There are no visible remnants of the runway, taxiways, or any airfield infrastructure. The land is private property belonging to the Del Monte Corporation and is actively used for cultivation.

Del Monte Airfield holds immense historical significance, primarily from World War II.

1. **Strategic Bomber Base:** Prior to the war, the airfield was secretly constructed on the Del Monte Corporation's pineapple plantation. At the outbreak of the Pacific War in December 1941, it became a crucial base for the U.S. Army's Far East Air Force (FEAF). It was one of the few airfields in the Philippines capable of handling heavy bombers like the B-17 Flying Fortress. The 19th Bombardment Group operated from Del Monte, conducting missions against Japanese forces.

2. **Evacuation Point for General MacArthur:** The airfield played a pivotal role in the escape of General Douglas MacArthur from the Philippines in March 1942. After leaving Corregidor by PT boat, MacArthur and his entourage flew from Del Monte Airfield (specifically, the nearby satellite strip known as Mangima Airfield or Del Monte No. 2) in B-17s to Australia to assume command of the South West Pacific Area.

3. **Intended Destination for the Doolittle Raid:** Del Monte Airfield was the designated landing and refueling point for the 16 B-25 Mitchell bombers of the famous Doolittle Raid on April 18, 1942. The plan was for the raiders to land at Del Monte after bombing Tokyo and other Japanese cities, refuel, and then fly to free China. However, due to early detection of the American naval task force, the raid was launched ahead of schedule and from a greater distance. This, combined with bad weather and low fuel, meant that none of the aircraft reached Del Monte. Most crews bailed out or crash-landed in China, with one crew landing in the Soviet Union.

4. **Japanese Occupation and Recapture:** After the American and Filipino forces surrendered in May 1942, the airfield was taken over and used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force. It was later targeted by Allied air raids and eventually recaptured by U.S. and Filipino forces in 1945.

There are no known official plans or prospects for reopening Del Monte Airfield. The reopening is considered highly improbable for several reasons:

1. **Land Use:** The land is privately owned, highly productive agricultural land, which is a core asset for Del Monte Philippines.
2. **Lack of Need:** The region is well-served by the modern Laguindingan Airport (IATA: CGY, ICAO: RPMY), which is the primary gateway for Northern Mindanao, including the province of Bukidnon and the city of Cagayan de Oro.
3. **Economic Viability:** The cost of reacquiring the land, clearing it, and building a modern airport to current standards would be immense and is not economically justifiable given the existence of a nearby major airport.