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Arizona Guide

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Gila Bend — BMGR Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field
Arizona Aviation Museum Guide

BMGR Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field ¹
Gila Bend, Arizona

Overview ³

Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field 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 miles south of the central business district of Gila Bend, in Maricopa County, Arizona. 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 492nd 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 auxiliary landing field. The Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field has one runway designated 17/35 with an asphalt surface measuring 8,500 by 150 feet.

Photos ⁴

The Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field has Major General Barry M. Goldwater's Republic F-84F-35-RE "Thunderstreak" (AF 52-6503) on display. The aircraft is on display in a park setting near the center of the air base at 1st and "I" Streets. A very special thanks to AFIA (a friend in Arizona) for the following photos.

Republic F-84F-35-RE “Thunderstreak,” AF 52-6503, Gila Bend AF Aux Field, Gila Bend (Photos by AFIA)

Special Thanks

A very special thanks to A Friend in Arizona (AFIA) for providing us with photos of the aircraft at this location.

References

1. BMGR Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field, Luke AFB website
2. Google Earth, Satellite Image
3. Wikipedia, Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field, Arizona
4. AFIA (A Friend in Arizona), Aircraft Photos