About this Unit
Naval Air Station (NAS) Cubi Point was a major United States Navy base located in the Philippines, adjacent to Subic Bay. Commissioned in 1956 after one of the largest earth-moving projects in U.S. military history, it served as a critical logistics, maintenance, and operations hub for U.S. naval aviation in the Pacific. During the Vietnam War and throughout the Cold War, NAS Cubi Point provided vital support to carrier air wings and deployed squadrons, enabling rapid response and sustained air operations in Southeast Asia. The base was closed in 1992 following the expiration of the U.S.-Philippines Military Bases Agreement.
Historical Facts
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Engineering Feat: Construction of NAS Cubi Point in the Philippines (begun in 1951) was considered one of the greatest engineering feats of the U.S. Navy, rivaling the construction of the Panama Canal. Workers literally leveled a mountain to build the air station and its adjacent pier.
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Seabees' Achievement: The U.S. Navy Seabees, specifically the 7th Naval Construction Battalion, led the construction and moved over 20 million cubic yards of dry fill, rock, and soil to create the airbase and a mile-long pier.
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Strategic Location: NAS Cubi Point was strategically located at Subic Bay, enabling rapid deployment and support for naval air operations throughout the Western Pacific during the Cold War and Vietnam War.
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Jet Age Transition: The base was designed with the advent of jet aircraft in mind, featuring one of the longest military runways outside the United States to accommodate modern jets of the era.
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Vietnam War Hub: During the Vietnam War, NAS Cubi Point served as a major logistics, repair, and resupply center for U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aircraft, supporting thousands of sorties.
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Famed "O' Club" Bar: The Officers’ Club at NAS Cubi Point was famous for its collection of squadron plaques and artifacts, many of which were left by departing aviators and squadrons, creating a unique tradition and atmosphere.
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World's Largest Aircraft Carrier Pier: The Cubi Point pier was, at the time of its construction, the largest in the world and was capable of accommodating the largest U.S. Navy aircraft carriers.
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Operation Fiery Vigil: In 1991, the eruption of Mount Pinatubo led to the evacuation of thousands of U.S. military personnel and their families from the Philippines, including those at NAS Cubi Point.
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Base Closure: NAS Cubi Point, along with Subic Bay Naval Base, was closed in 1992 after the Philippine government declined to renew the U.S. lease, ending almost a century of U.S. military presence at Subic Bay.
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Legacy: Today, the former NAS Cubi Point area has been converted into part of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, but many original Navy buildings, runways, and the famous "Cubi Bar Café" (with its historic plaques) remain as a testament to its storied past.
