Abandoned Ramey AFB

A 1940 aerial view of Ramey AAF, courtesy of Les Clements. This huge airfield is a former Strategic Air Command bomber base. Ramey's origins go back to 1936, when the necessity for an air base in Puerto Rico was recognized & advocated by Army Air Corps officials as a logical extension of the air defense of the Panama Canal. The Commandant of the Air Corps Tactical School forwarded to the Chief of the Air Corps a report pointing out that Puerto Rico was a "most valuable asset" of the for national defense, and recommending that an air base be established on the island. In 1939, Major George C Kenny was sent to Puerto Rico to conduct a preliminary survey of possible air base sites. In all, 42 sites were examined, and Major Kenny declared that Punta Borinquen was the best site for a major air base. A total of 3,796 acres (covered by sugar cane) were purchased in 1939. Later that year, Major Karl S Axtater assumed command of what was to become Borinquen Field. In a somewhat less than auspicious arrival, Axtater, upon landing the first aircraft ever at Borinquen's crude & unprepared runway, blew the tire on his plane's tail wheel, but no serious damage or injury resulted. The first squadron based at Borinquen Field was the 27th Squadron's, consisting of nine B-18A bombers. They flew in from Virginia's Langley Field in late 1939. In 1940, the air echelon of the 25th Bombardment Group (14 B-18A aircraft & 2 A-17 aircraft) arrived at the base from Langley Field. On December 13th 1940, the infamous "Battle of Borinquen Field" took place. Strictly a misnomer, the "battle" consisted solely of an "alert" and the firing of machine guns by nervous guards against a non-existent enemy invasion force, which was in reality a friendly merchant vessel traveling inshore for protection. The "battle" lasted 15 minutes, and in the confusion, one woman was wounded. Ramey 1940

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A still from a 1950s Ramey documentary, showing the base crash department (courtesy of Ricardo Medina).

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A still from a 1950s Ramey documentary, showing a Consolidated PBY Catalina (courtesy of Ricardo Medina).

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A still from a 1950s Ramey documentary, showing an Air Force Sikorsky (specific type undetermined) rescue helicopter (courtesy of Ricardo Medina). 1950_2

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A still from a 1950s Ramey documentary, showing a Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber (courtesy of Ricardo Medina).

Following WW2, Ramey was significantly expanded for its new role as a Strategic Air Command bomber base. From 1952-1959, the 72nd Heavy Bomb Wing at Ramey was equipped with the huge RB-36. Ramey later served as a B-52 base.

The Air Force ended their use of the base in 1973. In 1971, the Coast Guard relocated their aviation units from San Juan, and established Borinquen Coast Guard Air Station. The Coast Guard took possession of "an outstanding hangar with adjacent support facilities". Included in the boundaries of the base are the housing area, clinic and dispensary, station library, community center, swimming pool, exchange, mini-mart, package store, gymnasium and other fitness facilities, chapel, and theater. The primary mission of Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen is search & rescue. Secondary missions include law enforcement, aerial support for ATON, and logistic support. To accomplish these missions, the Air Station has four HH-65A helicopters & four HU-25A jets.

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As seen in the 1993 USGS aerial photo, the base consists of two runways (the primary runway, 8/26, 11,700' long, is still maintained), a very large former B-52 dispersal parking area, ramps & numerous hangars.

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A former Air Force hangar as seen in 2001, still bearing scars from Hurricane Georges.

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The former base hospital, now abandoned, as seen in 2001.

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The civil ramp at what is now Rafael Hernandez Airport, 2003. Photo by Jose Rafols, used by permission.

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The "City of Miami" Lockheed L-1049G Super Constellation (formerly operated by AMSA), pictured at Rafael Hernandez Airport in 2003 after a C-54 collided with it. Photo by Jose Rafols, used by permission.

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What a said sight - the end of a De Havilland DH-114 Heron of Prinair, laying in pieces in the inactive part of Rafael Hernandez Airport, 2003. Photo by Jose Rafols, used by permission. It is now operated as a general aviation airport, named "Rafael Hernandez Airport"

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A 2005 USGS aerial photo looking northeast, along the former Ramey AFB runway.

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