Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field: Difference between revisions

Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field
Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field
Part of Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range
Gila Bend, Arizona in the United States of America
	A US Geological Survey aerial image from 2006
	Gila Bend AFAF Location in the United States
Coordinates	32°53′15″N 112°43′12″W / 32.88750°N 112.72000°W
Type	US Air Force auxiliary airfield
Site information
Owner	Department of Defense
Operator	US Air Force
Controlled by	Air Education and Training Command (AETC)
Condition	Operational
Site history
Built	1942
In use	1942 – present
Garrison information
Garrison	56th Range Management Office
Airfield information
Identifiers	ICAO: KGXF, FAA LID: GXF, WMO: 747240
Elevation	269.1 metres (883 ft) AMSL
Runways
17/35	2,591.4 metres (8,502 ft) asphalt
	Source: AirNav.com

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Latest revision as of 11:38, 10 February 2024

Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field (ICAO: KGXF, FAA LID: GXF) is a United States Air Force auxiliary airfield used as an emergency landing facility by Luke Air Force Base and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base aircraft and units from other nearby bases using the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range complex. The airfield is located 3.5 miles (3.0 nmi; 5.6 km) south of Interstate 8 and the central business district of Gila Bend, in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States.^[2]

Although many U.S. airports use the same three-letter location identifier for the FAA and IATA, this facility is assigned GXF by the FAA but has no designation from the IATA.^[3]

History[edit]

The facility was opened in July 1942 when it was part of the Gila Bend Gunnery Range. During World War II it was under the command of the 492d (Reduced) Army Air Force Base Unit, AAF West Coast Training Center. It served as the range headquarters for a massive bombing and gunnery range, now known as the Barry M. Goldwater Range, and for maintenance of the range and range targets. It remained an active Air Force facility manned by USAF personnel until approximately 1995. It was also used as an auxiliary landing field. As of 2011, this role is handled by private contractors utilizing portions of the facility.^[4]

Auxiliary fields to Gila Bend AFAF (all on the Goldwater Range) are:

Gila Bend #6/Williams AAF #4: 32°43′11″N 112°51′14″W / 32.71972°N 112.85389°W / 32.71972; -112.85389
Gila Bend #6/Williams AAF #5: 32°49′05″N 112°54′54″W / 32.81806°N 112.91500°W / 32.81806; -112.91500
Gila Bend #6/Williams AAF #6: 32°53′05″N 112°48′59″W / 32.88472°N 112.81639°W / 32.88472; -112.81639

Facilities[edit]

Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field has one runway designated Rwy 17/35 with an asphalt surface measuring 8,500 ft × 150 ft (2,591 m × 46 m).^[2]

References[edit]

^ "AirNav: KGXF – Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Airport". www.airnav.com. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
^ ^a ^b FAA Airport Form 5010 for GXF PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective 3 June 2010.
^ "Gila Bend, Arizona (ICAO: KGXF, FAA: GXF)". Great Circle Mapper. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
^ Thole, Lou (1999), Forgotten Fields of America : World War II Bases and Training, Then and Now – Vol. 2. Publisher: Pictorial Histories Pub, ISBN 1-57510-051-7

Other sources

This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
Manning, Thomas A. (2005), History of Air Education and Training Command, 1942–2002. Office of History and Research, Headquarters, AETC, Randolph AFB, Texas OCLC 71006954, 29991467
Shaw, Frederick J. (2004), Locating Air Force Base Sites, History’s Legacy, Air Force History and Museums Program, United States Air Force, Washington DC. OCLC 57007862, 1050653629

External links[edit]

56th Range Management Office – operates Gila Bend AFAF
Resources for this U.S. military airport:
- FAA airport information for GBN
- AirNav airport information for KGBN
- NOAA/NWS latest weather observations
- SkyVector aeronautical chart for KGBN

[1] "AirNav: KGXF – Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Airport". www.airnav.com. Retrieved 8 May 2020.

[FAA-2] FAA Airport Form 5010 for GXF PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective 3 June 2010.

[3] "Gila Bend, Arizona (ICAO: KGXF, FAA: GXF)". Great Circle Mapper. Retrieved 11 November 2013.

[4] Thole, Lou (1999), Forgotten Fields of America : World War II Bases and Training, Then and Now – Vol. 2. Publisher: Pictorial Histories Pub, ISBN 1-57510-051-7

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|Airfield in Maricopa County, Arizona}}
-{{Infobox airport
+{{Infobox military installation
-| name         = Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field
+| name = Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field
-[[Image:Us army air corps shield.svg|80px]]
+| ensign =
-| image        = Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field - AZ - 8 Jun 1996.jpg
+| ensign_size =
-| caption      = [[USGS]] aerial image, 8 January 1996
+| native_name =
-| IATA         = <!--not GBN-->
+| partof = [[Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range]]
-| ICAO         = KGBN
+| location = [[Gila Bend, Arizona|Gila Bend]], [[Arizona]]
-| FAA          = GBN
+| nearest_town = <!-- used in military test site infobox -->
-| type         = Military
-| owner        = [[United States Air Force]]
+| country = the [[United States|United States of America]]
+| image = Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field AZ 2006 USGS.jpg
-| operator     =
+| alt = A US Geological Survey aerial image from 2006
-| location     = [[Maricopa County, Arizona|Maricopa County]], near [[Gila Bend, Arizona]]
+| caption = A [[United States Geological Survey|US Geological Survey]] aerial image from 2006
-| built        = 1942
+| image2 = [[File:Air Education and Training Command.svg|100px]]
-| used         = 1942 - present
-| commander    =
+| alt2 =
-| occupants    =
+| caption2 =
+| type = US Air Force auxiliary airfield
-| elevation-f  = 858
+| coordinates = {{coord|32|53|15|N|112|43|12|W|display=inline,title}}
-| elevation-m  = 262
+| gridref =
-| coordinates  = {{coord|32|53|15|N|112|43|12|W|region:US-AZ_type:airport}}
-| website      =
+| image_map =
-| r1-number    = 17/35
+| image_mapsize =
-| r1-length-f  = 8,500
+| image_map_alt =
+| image_map_caption =
-| r1-length-m  = 2,591
-| r1-surface   = Asphalt
+| pushpin_map = USA
+| pushpin_mapsize =
-| footnotes    = Source: [[Federal Aviation Administration]]<ref name="FAA">{{FAA-airport|ID=GBN|use=PR|own=MA|site=00689.*A}}. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective 3 June 2010.</ref>
+| pushpin_map_alt =
-}}
+| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States
-{{Location map|USA Arizona
+| pushpin_relief =
-|lat_dir=N|lat_deg=32|lat_min=53|lat_sec=15
+| pushpin_image =
-|lon_dir=W|lon_deg=112|lon_min=43|lon_sec=12
-|label=Gila Bend AFAF|position=left
+| pushpin_label = Gila Bend AFAF
+| pushpin_label_position = top
-|marksize=6|mark=Red_pog.svg
+| pushpin_mark =
-|width=150|float=right
+| pushpin_marksize =
-|caption=Location of Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field, Arizona
+| ownership = [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]]
+| operator = [[United States Air Force|US Air Force]]
+| controlledby = [[Air Education and Training Command]] (AETC)
+| open_to_public = <!-- for out of use sites/sites with museums etc -->
+| site_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
+| site_other = <!-- for other sorts of facilities – radar types etc -->
+| site_area = <!-- area of site m2, km2 square mile etc -->
+| code = <!--facility/installation code, applies to US -->
+| built = {{Start date|1942}}
+| used = 1942 – present <!--{{End date|1946}} -->
+| builder =
+| materials =
+| height = <!-- height of tallest part, not above sea level -->
+| length = <!-- for border fences or other DMZs -->
+| fate = <!--changed from demolished parameter-->
+| condition = Operational
+| battles =
+| events =
+| current_commander = <!-- current commander -->
+| past_commanders = <!-- past notable commander(s) -->
+| garrison = [[56th Fighter Wing|56th Range Management Office]]
+| occupants = <!-- squadrons only -->
+| designations =
+| website =
+<!-- begin airfield information  -->
+| IATA =
+| ICAO = KGXF
+| FAA = GXF
+| TC =
+| LID =
+| GPS =
+| WMO = 747240
+| elevation = {{Convert|269.1|m|0}}
+| r1-number = 17/35
+| r1-length = {{Convert|2591.4|m|0}}
+| r1-surface = [[Asphalt concrete|asphalt]]
+| h1-number =
+| h1-length = <!-- {{Convert| |m|0}} -->
+| h1-surface =
+| airfield_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
+| airfield_other = <!-- for other sorts of airfield facilities -->
+<!--  end airfield information   -->
+| footnotes = '''Source:''' AirNav.com<ref>{{Cite web|title=AirNav: KGXF – Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Airport|url=https://www.airnav.com/airport/KGXF|website=www.airnav.com|access-date=8 May 2020}}</ref>
 }}
-'''Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field''' {{airport codes||KGBN|GBN}} is a [[United States Air Force]] auxiliary airfield used as an emergency landing facility by [[Luke Air Force Base]] aircraft and units from other nearby bases using the [[Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range]] complex. The airfield is located  three [[nautical mile]]s (6 [[kilometre|km]]) south of the [[central business district]] of [[Gila Bend, Arizona|Gila Bend]], in [[Maricopa County, Arizona|Maricopa County]], [[Arizona]], [[United States]].<ref name="FAA" />
+'''Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field''' {{airport codes||KGXF|GXF}} is a [[United States Air Force]] auxiliary airfield used as an emergency landing facility by [[Luke Air Force Base]] and [[Davis-Monthan Air Force Base]] aircraft and units from other nearby bases using the [[Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range]] complex. The airfield is located {{convert|3.5|mi|nmi km|lk=on}} south of [[Interstate 8]] and the [[central business district]] of [[Gila Bend, Arizona|Gila Bend]], in [[Maricopa County, Arizona|Maricopa County]], [[Arizona]], [[United States]].<ref name="FAA">{{FAA-airport|ID=GXF|use=PR|own=MA|site=00689.*A}}. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective 3 June 2010.</ref>
-Although many U.S. airports use the same three-letter [[location identifier]] for the [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]] and [[International Air Transport Association|IATA]], this facility is assigned '''GBN''' by the FAA but has no designation from the IATA.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gcmap.com/airport/KGBN | title = Gila Bend, Arizona (ICAO: KGBN, FAA: GBN) | publisher = Great Circle Mapper | accessdate = 18 June 2010}}</ref>
+Although many U.S. airports use the same three-letter [[location identifier]] for the [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]] and [[International Air Transport Association|IATA]], this facility is assigned '''GXF''' by the FAA but has no designation from the IATA.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gcmap.com/airport/KGXF | title = Gila Bend, Arizona (ICAO: KGXF, FAA: GXF) | publisher = Great Circle Mapper | access-date = 11 November 2013}}</ref>
 ==History==
-The facility was opened in July 1942 when it was part of the Gila Bend Gunnery Range. During [[World War II]] it was under the command of the 492d (Reduced) Army Air Force Base Unit, AAF West Coast Training Center.  It served as the range headquarters for a massive bombing and gunnery range, now known as the Barry M. Goldwater Range, and for maintenance of the range and range targets.  It remained an active Air Force facility until approximately 1995. It was also used as an auxuillary landing field.  This activity is now supported by private contractors utilizing portions of the former facility.<ref>Thole, Lou (1999), Forgotten Fields of America : World War II Bases and Training, Then and Now - Vol. 2.  Publisher: Pictorial Histories Pub, ISBN 1575100517</ref>
+The facility was opened in July 1942 when it was part of the Gila Bend Gunnery Range. During [[World War II]] it was under the command of the 492d (Reduced) Army Air Force Base Unit, AAF West Coast Training Center.  It served as the range headquarters for a massive bombing and gunnery range, now known as the [[Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range|Barry M. Goldwater Range]], and for maintenance of the range and range targets.  It remained an active Air Force facility manned by USAF personnel until approximately 1995. It was also used as an auxiliary landing field. As of 2011, this role is handled by private contractors utilizing portions of the facility.<ref>Thole, Lou (1999), ''Forgotten Fields of America : World War II Bases and Training, Then and Now'' – Vol. 2.  Publisher: Pictorial Histories Pub, {{ISBN|1-57510-051-7}}</ref>
+Auxiliary fields to Gila Bend AFAF (all on the Goldwater Range) are:
+* Gila Bend #6/Williams AAF #4: {{coord|32|43|11|N|112|51|14|W}}
+* Gila Bend #6/Williams AAF #5: {{coord|32|49|05|N|112|54|54|W}}
+* Gila Bend #6/Williams AAF #6: {{coord|32|53|05|N|112|48|59|W}}
 == Facilities ==
-Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field has one [[runway]] designated 17/35 with an asphalt surface measuring 8,500 by 150 feet (2,591 x 46 m).<ref name="FAA" />
+Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field has one [[runway]] designated Rwy 17/35 with an asphalt surface measuring {{cvt|8500|x|150|ft|lk=on}}.<ref name="FAA" />
 ==See also==
+{{Portal|Arizona|Aviation}}
 * [[Arizona World War II Army Airfields]]
+* [[List of United States Air Force installations]]
 ==References==
@@ Line 52: / Line 103: @@
 ;Other sources
 {{Refbegin}}
+* {{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}
-* {{AFHRA}}
+* Manning, Thomas A. (2005), ''History of Air Education and Training Command, 1942–2002''. Office of History and Research, Headquarters, AETC, Randolph AFB, Texas  {{OCLC|71006954|29991467}}
-* Shaw, Frederick J. (2004), Locating Air Force Base Sites History’s Legacy, Air Force History and Museums Program, United States Air Force, Washington DC, 2004.
-* Manning, Thomas A. (2005), History of Air Education and Training Command, 1942–2002.  Office of History and Research, Headquarters, AETC, Randolph AFB, Texas  ASIN: B000NYX3PC
+* Shaw, Frederick J. (2004), ''Locating Air Force Base Sites, History’s Legacy'', Air Force History and Museums Program, United States Air Force, Washington DC. {{OCLC|57007862|1050653629}}
-* [http://www.luke.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=6391 Fact Sheet: Gila Bend Auxiliary field] at [[Luke Air Force Base]] website
-* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/gila-bend.htm Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field ] at [[GlobalSecurity.org]] website
-* [http://www.gilabendaz.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7B21E43583-5234-41C5-A75E-79C515CB931A%7D Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field] at [[Gila Bend, Arizona|Town of Gila Bend]] website
 {{Refend}}
 ==External links==
+* [https://www.luke.af.mil/Units/56th-Range-Management-Office/ 56th Range Management Office] – operates Gila Bend AFAF
-{{Portal box|United States Air Force|Military of the United States|World War II}}
-* {{US-airport-mil|GBN|-}}
+{{US-airport-mil|GBN|-}}
-<!--Navigation boxes--><br />
+<!--Navigation boxes-->
 {{AZMilitary|state=autocollapse}}
+{{Arizona during World War II}}
 {{USAAF Training Bases World War II}}
-[[Category:1941 establishments]]
+[[Category:Installations of the United States Air Force in Arizona]]
-[[Category:USAAF West Coast Training Center]]
+[[Category:Airports in Maricopa County, Arizona]]
 [[Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in Arizona]]
-[[Category:Airports in Arizona]]
+[[Category:Airports established in 1942]]
-[[Category:Buildings and structures in Maricopa County, Arizona]]
+[[Category:1942 establishments in Arizona]]
-[[Category:Transportation in Maricopa County, Arizona]]

v t e Arizona during World War II
People	John Brown Jr. Thomas Claw Jack Fujimoto Harry K. Fukuhara Ira Hayes Satoshi Hirayama Gordon Hirabayashi Philip Johnston Robert Taylor Jones Allen Dale June Nobe Kawano Yosh Kawano John F. Kennedy Yuriko Kikuchi Peter MacDonald Doris Matsui Pat Morita Joe Morris Sr. Michi Nishiura Isamu Noguchi Vincent Okamoto Ken Ota Miye Ota Kazuo Otani Sidney Preston Osborn Roy I. Sano Hideo Sasaki Reiko Sato Shinkichi Tajiri Miiko Taka Nao Takasugi Ronald Phillip Tanaka A. Wallace Tashima Hisako Terasaki Paul Terasaki Jürgen Wattenberg Hisaye Yamamoto Wakako Yamauchi Kenichi Zenimura
Airfields	Ajo Army Airfield Coolidge Army Airfield Dateland Army Airfield Davis-Monthan Army Airfield Douglas Army Airfield Ernest A. Love Field Falcon Army Airfield Gila Bend Army Airfield Hereford Army Airfield Kingman Army Airfield Laguna Army Airfield Luke Army Airfield Marana Army Airfield Ryan Army Airfield Sahuarita Flight Strip Thunderbird Field No. 1 Thunderbird Field No. 2 Williams Army Airfield Yucca Army Airfield Yuma Army Airfield
Ground training and storage	Camp Bouse Camp Horn Camp Hyder Camp Laguna Desert Training Center Gila Bend Gunnery Range Fort Huachuca Navajo Ordnance Depot Sahuarita Bombing & Gunnery Range Yuma Proving Ground
Internment camps	Catalina Honor Camp Gila River War Relocation Center Leupp Isolation Center Mayer Assembly Center Parker Dam Reception Center Poston War Relocation Center
Prisoner of war camps	Camp Continental Camp Florence Camp Pima Camp Papago Park
See also	American Theater Arizona World War II Army Airfields Bushmasters Castle Hot Springs Great Papago Escape Machita incident Nevada during World War II New Mexico during World War II Phoenix Massacre Thunder Birds USS Arizona

Latest revision as of 11:38, 10 February 2024

History[edit]

Facilities[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

External links[edit]