Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Airfield in Maricopa County, Arizona}} |
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{{Infobox military structure |
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{{Infobox military installation |
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|name=Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field<BR>{{smaller|Gila Bend Gunnery Range}} |
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| name = Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field |
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[[File:Air Education and Training Command.png|60px]] |
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| ensign = |
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|partof= [[Air Education and Training Command]] (AETC) |
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| ensign_size = |
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|location= Located near: [[Maricopa County, Arizona|Maricopa County]], near [[Gila Bend, Arizona]] |
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| native_name = |
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|coordinates={{coord|32|53|15|N|112|43|12|W|name=Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field}} |
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| partof = [[Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range]] |
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| location = [[Gila Bend, Arizona|Gila Bend]], [[Arizona]] |
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|caption= 2006 USGS Airphoto |
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| nearest_town = <!-- used in military test site infobox --> |
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|type=Military airfield |
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| country = the [[United States|United States of America]] |
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|code= |
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| image = Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field AZ 2006 USGS.jpg |
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|built=1942 |
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| alt = A US Geological Survey aerial image from 2006 |
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|builder= |
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| caption = A [[United States Geological Survey|US Geological Survey]] aerial image from 2006 |
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|materials= |
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| image2 = [[File:Air Education and Training Command.svg|100px]] |
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|height= |
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| alt2 = |
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|used= 1942–Present |
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| caption2 = |
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|demolished= |
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| type = US Air Force auxiliary airfield |
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|condition= |
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| coordinates = {{coord|32|53|15|N|112|43|12|W|display=inline,title}} |
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|ownership= |
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| gridref = |
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|controlledby=[[United States Army Air Forces]] |
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| image_map = |
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|garrison= |
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| image_mapsize = |
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|commanders= |
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| image_map_alt = |
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|occupants= |
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| image_map_caption = |
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|battles= |
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| pushpin_map = USA |
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|events= |
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| pushpin_mapsize = |
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| pushpin_map_alt = |
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| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States |
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| pushpin_relief = |
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| pushpin_image = |
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| pushpin_label = Gila Bend AFAF |
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| pushpin_label_position = top |
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| pushpin_mark = |
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| pushpin_marksize = |
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| ownership = [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]] |
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| operator = [[United States Air Force|US Air Force]] |
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| controlledby = [[Air Education and Training Command]] (AETC) |
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| open_to_public = <!-- for out of use sites/sites with museums etc --> |
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| site_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox --> |
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| site_other = <!-- for other sorts of facilities – radar types etc --> |
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| site_area = <!-- area of site m2, km2 square mile etc --> |
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| code = <!--facility/installation code, applies to US --> |
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| built = {{Start date|1942}} |
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| used = 1942 – present <!--{{End date|1946}} --> |
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| builder = |
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| materials = |
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| height = <!-- height of tallest part, not above sea level --> |
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| length = <!-- for border fences or other DMZs --> |
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| fate = <!--changed from demolished parameter--> |
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| condition = Operational |
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| battles = |
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| events = |
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| current_commander = <!-- current commander --> |
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| past_commanders = <!-- past notable commander(s) --> |
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| garrison = [[56th Fighter Wing|56th Range Management Office]] |
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| occupants = <!-- squadrons only --> |
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| designations = |
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| website = |
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<!-- begin airfield information --> |
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| IATA = |
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| ICAO = KGXF |
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| FAA = GXF |
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| TC = |
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| LID = |
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| GPS = |
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| WMO = 747240 |
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| elevation = {{Convert|269.1|m|0}} |
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| r1-number = 17/35 |
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| r1-length = {{Convert|2591.4|m|0}} |
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| r1-surface = [[Asphalt concrete|asphalt]] |
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| h1-number = |
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| h1-length = <!-- {{Convert| |m|0}} --> |
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| h1-surface = |
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| airfield_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox --> |
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| airfield_other = <!-- for other sorts of airfield facilities --> |
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<!-- end airfield information --> |
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| 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> |
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}} |
}} |
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'''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> |
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{{Infobox airport |
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| name = Airfield information |
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| ICAO = KGXF |
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| FAA = GXF |
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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> |
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| latd = 32 | latm = 53 | lats = 15 | latNS = N |
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| longd = 112 | longm = 43 | longs = 12 | longEW = W |
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| pushpin_map = Arizona |
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| pushpin_mapsize = 300 |
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| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field |
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| pushpin_label = '''KGXF''' |
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| pushpin_label_position = bottom |
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==History== |
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| elevation-f = 858 |
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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> |
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| elevation-m = 262 |
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| r1-number = 17/35 |
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| r1-length-f = 8,500 |
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| r1-length-m = 2,591 |
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| r1-surface = Asphalt |
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| footnotes = Source: [[Federal Aviation Administration]]<ref name="FAA">{{FAA-airport|ID=GXF|use=PR|own=MA|site=00689.*A}}. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective 3 June 2010.</ref> |
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}} |
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Auxiliary fields to Gila Bend AFAF (all on the Goldwater Range) are: |
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'''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 three nautical miles (6 km) 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" /> |
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* Gila Bend #6/Williams AAF #4: {{coord|32|43|11|N|112|51|14|W}} |
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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 | accessdate = 11 November 2013}}</ref> |
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* Gila Bend #6/Williams AAF #5: {{coord|32|49|05|N|112|54|54|W}} |
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* Gila Bend #6/Williams AAF #6: {{coord|32|53|05|N|112|48|59|W}} |
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==History== |
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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.<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> |
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Auxiliary Fields to Gila Bend AFAF |
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* Gila Bend #6/Williams AAF #4: {{coord|32|43|11|N|112|51|14|W|}} |
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* Gila Bend #6/Williams AAF #5: {{coord|32|49|05|N|112|54|54|W|}} |
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* Gila Bend #6/Williams AAF #6: {{coord|32|53|05|N|112|48|59|W|}} |
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== Facilities == |
== Facilities == |
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Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field has one [[runway]] designated Rwy 17/35 with an asphalt surface measuring |
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" /> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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{{Portal|Arizona|Aviation}} |
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{{Portal|United States Air Force|Military of the United States|World War II}} |
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* [[Arizona World War II Army Airfields]] |
* [[Arizona World War II Army Airfields]] |
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* [[List of United States Air Force installations]] |
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* [[37th Flying Training Wing (World War II)]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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;Other sources |
;Other sources |
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{{Refbegin}} |
{{Refbegin}} |
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* {{Air Force Historical Research Agency}} |
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* {{AFHRA}} |
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* 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}} |
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* 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. |
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* |
* 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}} |
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* [http://www.luke.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=6391 Fact Sheet: Gila Bend Auxiliary field] at [[Luke Air Force Base]] website |
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* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/gila-bend.htm Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field ] at GlobalSecurity.org website |
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* [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 |
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{{Refend}} |
{{Refend}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [https://www.luke.af.mil/Units/56th-Range-Management-Office/ 56th Range Management Office] – operates Gila Bend AFAF |
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* {{US-airport-mil|GBN|-}} |
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{{US-airport-mil|GBN|-}} |
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<!--Navigation boxes-- |
<!--Navigation boxes--> |
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{{AZMilitary|state=autocollapse}} |
{{AZMilitary|state=autocollapse}} |
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{{Arizona during World War II}} |
{{Arizona during World War II}} |
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{{USAAF Training Bases World War II}} |
{{USAAF Training Bases World War II}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Installations of the United States Air Force in Arizona]] |
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[[Category:Airports in Maricopa County, Arizona]] |
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[[Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in Arizona]] |
[[Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in Arizona]] |
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[[Category:Airports in Maricopa County, Arizona]] |
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[[Category:Airports established in 1942]] |
[[Category:Airports established in 1942]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1942 establishments in Arizona]] |
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[[Category:American Theater of World War II]] |
Latest revision as of 11:38, 10 February 2024
Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field | |||||||
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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 | |||||||
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 | ||||||
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Source: AirNav.com[1] |
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
- Gila Bend #6/Williams AAF #5: 32°49′05″N 112°54′54″W / 32.81806°N 112.91500°W
- Gila Bend #6/Williams AAF #6: 32°53′05″N 112°48′59″W / 32.88472°N 112.81639°W
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]
See also[edit]
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