Pre War Years

Written by: Ricardo Busquets, Borinquen Field / Ramey AFB Museum Director

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By December of 1938 Nazi Germanys aggressive policies in Europe have become evident. In the United States political and military strategists are certain America would, once again, find itself involved in another world conflict

A new strategy for the defense of America is implemented. The master plan will include defensive bases outside the Continental United States. In the Caribbean military planners have recognized Puerto Rico’s strategic geographic location. The island is classified “of most vital importance

A US Army Air Corps Aerodrome will be built on the northwest quadrant of the Island known as Punta Borinquen (Borinquen Point). Its mission: Defend the eastern approaches of the Panama Canal

The new Army Air Corps Aerodrome will be called “Borinquen Field”

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1936 Punta Borinquen Puerto Rico Lighthouses

The old and new Lighthouses are marked as reference

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Train Arrival at Punta Borinquen 1941

The tons of provisions arriving at San Juan are transported to Punta Borinquen by the American Railroad Line. The train also brought troops and labor forces from all over the island

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“Base Housing” Pre War Years Borinquen Field Puerto Rico 1939

Home sweet home at Punta Borinquen

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Borinquen Field / Ramey Air Force Base Hangers 3 and 2 Under Construction 1941

Runway construction was priority one. Hangars 3 and 2 (left to right) almost complete

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“Hangar Road” looking northeast. Hangar 2 (background) and Hangar 3 (foreground)

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Borinquen Field / Ramey Air Force Base Hanger 5 Under Construction, 1941

“Hanger Road” looking southwest. Hangar 5 under construction

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Sand Extraction for Borinquen Field / Ramey AFB Hangers, 1940

All the sand used to make concrete for the Hangars was extracted from Survival Beach. The concrete base for the rail system is still present

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B-18 27th Reconaissance Squadron Borinquen Field / Ramey Air Force Base 1939

On 27 November 1939 a B-18 “Bolo” of the 27th Reconnaissance Squadron, 25th Bombardment Group, became the first B-18 to arrive at Borinquen Field

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Borinquen Field / Ramey Air Force Base 1940

The very begining. The “square area” seen in this image will become grounds for Hangar 5

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B-18′s getting ready for take-off, Borinquen Field Puerto Rico 1941

Runway was in use even before its completion. Hangars 3 and 2 (left to right) in the background

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B-18 taking off for a mission, Borinquen Field 1941

B-18 of the 25th Bombardment Group

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The 25th Bombardment Group Crest, Borinquen Field 1940

The 25th Bombardment Group was assigned to Borinquen Field

10th Bombardment Sq B-18 A-17A B-17 B/C
12th Bombardment Sq B-18 B-25 —–
35th Bombardment Sq B-18 B-25 —–
59th Bombardment Sq B-18 B-25 A-20
27th Reconnaissance Sq B-18 B-25 P-36
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Rare color photo of B-18 getting maintenance. Borinquen Field Puerto Rico 1941

Extremely rare color image for the period (none colorized). B-18 is clearly visible in Pre-War “neutrality” red and white tail markings

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Borinquen Field Aircrafts 1941

The 36th Pursuit Group was assigned to Borinquen Field (ca.1940)

22nd Pursuit Sq P-36 —– —–
23rd Pursuit Sq P-36 P-39 P-40
32nd Pursuit Sq P-36 —– —–
04th Recon Sq O-47 O-52 —–
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B-18 flying over Borinquen Field 1940 Que Pasa???

Punta Borinquen’s, Village of San Antonio resident, views the new bird in the SkyBASE-DEFENSE-1024x146

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4th July Parade Borinquen Field Puerto Rico 1940

Defensive units start arriving 25th October 1939. The base assets will be protected from sea, air and land attacks

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51st Coast Artillery 155mm Gun Borinquen Field 1940

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51st Coast Artillery Gunnery Practice. Borinquen Field Puerto Rico, 1940

ne of the four 155 mm Coast Artillery guns protecting Borinquen Field. AP Wire Photo 1940

155mm rifle gun of the 51st Coast Artillery during gunnery practice

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3 Inch Anti Aircraft Battery. Borinquen Field Puerto Rico 1940

Eyes toward the sky. The Coast Artillery positions were defended by 3inch anti aircraft Battery’s

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Coast Artillery Searchlight, Borinquen Field Puerto Rico 1942

Good old fashion Night Vision. Anti Aircraft and Coast Artillery searchlight

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Coast Artillery defensive umbrella. Borinquen Field – Ramey Air Force Base History

Coast Artillery guns had a range of 18 miles. Positions at Borinquen Field, Aguada and Mayagüez gave the following defensive umbrella

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“Good Will Flights” 1938 – Borinquen Field – Ramey Air Force Base History

Nazi Germany had established commercial and diplomatic footholds in South America. Raw materials were sought and sold to Germany while Nazi agents established intelligence networks

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German owned SDETA LINE of Ecuador & SCADTA LINE of Colombia 1938. Borinquen Field – Ramey Air Force Base History

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German owned CONDOR LINE, and Italian owned LATI LINE 1939. Borinquen Field – Ramey Air Force Base History

German owned SDETA LINE of Ecuador (above) and the SCADTA LINE of Colombia (below) were used for aerial reconnaissance of the Panama Canal

German owned CONDOR LINE (above) and Italian owned LATI LINE (below) operated from Brazil and Argentina. These airlines provided aerial reconnaissance of British Convoys leaving the Caribbean with raw materials and serviced axis agents throughout South America

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Borinquen Field – Ramey AFB History

The arrival of the FW200 “CONDOR” to South America (above) prompted the United States to pursue a show of force. “Good Will” flights were made by the US Army Air Corps with the newest and most technological advanced long range bomber of that time, the B-17B Flying Fortress (below)

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Lt. Curtis LeMay (left) and Col. Valeb Haynes (right). Borinquen Field – Ramey Air Force Base History

The one and only Lt. Curtis LeMay (left) and Col. Valeb Haynes (right) flew “Good Will Flights” to South America (seen here in Brazil). LeMay would run the Air Campaign over Japan and would become the “Father” of the Strategic Air Command. Haynes would become the first wartime commander of Borinquen Field (ca. 1939)

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B-17 Crewmember. Borinquen Field- Ramey Air Force History 1939

B-17B “Good Will” flight crew member at Borinquen Field

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Borinquen Field – Ramey Air Force Base History

On 31 August 1941 a C-87 (B-24 cargo version) named “Arabian Knight” flew to Borinquen Field to begin surveying a route to Cairo. Due to their experience flying to South America Col. Haynes and by now Major LeMay would lead the mission

C-87 arriving at Borinquen Field Puerto Rico 1941

C-87 arriving at Borinquen Field Puerto Rico 1941

C-87 dubbed “Arabian Knight” arriving at Borinquen Field

C-87 “Arabian Knight” Borinquen Field – Ramey Air Force Base History 1941

C-87 “Arabian Knight” Borinquen Field – Ramey Air Force Base History 1941

As war continued to develop in Europe and the Pacific Rim the US Flag was used as “Neutrality Markings” instead of the horizontal red and white tail markings. Welcome wagon for the Arabian Knight

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Borinquen Field – Ramey Air Force Base History

Borinquen Field – Ramey Air Force Base History

War material being shipped to England, by “neutral” United States, was being sunk by German U-boats at an untenable rate. The weather of the established “Northern” airlift route made its use unreliable at best. The solution: airlift supplies thru the Caribbean across to Africa and then northbound to England

Royal Air Force B-24 Liberators. Borinquen Field – Ramey Air Force Base History 1941

Royal Air Force B-24 Liberators. Borinquen Field – Ramey Air Force Base History 1941

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