About this Unit
Clark Air Force Base, located on Luzon Island in the Philippines, was established as Fort Stotsenburg in 1903 and became a key U.S. military installation in the Pacific. During World War II, the base was a focal point of the initial Japanese attack following Pearl Harbor and was occupied by Japanese forces until its liberation in 1945. Throughout the Cold War and Vietnam War, Clark served as a major logistics, maintenance, and command center for U.S. Air Force operations in Southeast Asia. The base remained a vital hub for regional security until it was evacuated and handed over to the Philippine government following the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991.
Historical Facts
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Strategic Location: Clark Air Base was established in 1903 as Fort Stotsenburg and became one of the largest US military bases outside continental America, located in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines.
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World War II Significance: The base played a crucial role during World War II, serving as a major hub for American air operations in the Pacific. It was captured by Japanese forces in 1942 and later liberated in 1945.
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Namesake: Clark Air Base was named after Major Harold M. Clark, a US Army Signal Corps pilot and the first American to fly in Hawaii.
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The 1991 Eruption: The base was heavily damaged and eventually abandoned by the US in 1991 after the catastrophic eruption of Mount Pinatubo, which buried much of the facility in volcanic ash.
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Vietnam War Era: During the Vietnam War, Clark was a major logistics and transit point for US forces, serving as a staging area for troops and supplies heading to Southeast Asia.
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Cold War Operations: Clark Air Base hosted a variety of aircraft, including B-52 bombers, and was a key base for US Air Force operations throughout the Cold War.
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Evacuation Point: The base was famously used as a primary evacuation point during Operation Babylift and Operation New Life, which evacuated thousands of Vietnamese refugees and orphans in 1975.
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Home to the 13th Air Force: For much of the 20th century, Clark served as the headquarters for the US 13th Air Force, responsible for operations in the Pacific and Southeast Asia.
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Clark's Runway: The base boasted one of the longest runways in the Pacific, capable of handling the largest American military aircraft, including the C-5 Galaxy and B-52 Stratofortress.
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Transformation: After US withdrawal, the base was converted into Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone, now home to Clark International Airport and a thriving business district, but still retains visible remnants of its military past.
