South Atlantic Air Ferry Route in World War II - Overview - Caribbean Air Route

Caribbean Air Route

With the spectra of War again in Europe in the late 1930s, hemispheric security became a paramount concern of the Roosevelt Administration. There were memories of German U-Boat activities in the Caribbean and near the Panama Canal in 1918. Two agreements with the British provided for significant United States force deployment to a number of British bases in the Caribbean area, the 1940 Destroyers for Bases agreement and the 1941 Lend-Lease act. As a result of these agreements, United States military forces moved into Bermuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Antigua, St. Lucia, Trinidad, and British Guiana. Military survey teams moved into these areas and construction proceeded in the expansion of existing British facilities and construction of new ones. The Trinidad and British Guiana bases became major stopping points for transient aircraft, bridging the 2,000 miles that separated Puerto Rico from Belem, Brazil, the northernmost base in that country capable of handling heavy traffic. Other bases used principally for defense but provided emergency landing fields for transient aircraft were constructed through Pan American Airlines agencies in Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela.

The United States and Britain were interested primarily in the ferrying service. Thus, when President Roosevelt announced publicly on 18 August 1941 that the agreements with Pan American had been concluded, stress was placed on the importance of speeding delivery of aircraft to the British. Not until after the United States entered the war, and acquired thereby heavy military commitments of its own that the route went far beyond the prewar lend-lease obligations, did the South Atlantic transport service assume outstanding importance as a support to combat operations. At its inception, transport use of the route was considered merely an adjunct to ferrying.

Caribbean Wing (re-designated Caribbean Division)
Name Location Coordinates Notes
Morrison Field Florida 26°41′05″N 080°05′21″W / 26.68472°N 80.08917°W / 26.68472; -80.08917 (Morrison Field) Opened in 1940 as a Third Air Force fighter base, reassigned to Army Air Forces Ferrying Command on 19 January 1942, 26th Ferrying Squadron flew ferrying operations south into the Caribbean to Brazil. Was initial point of departure for aircraft. Later in 1942 became Headquarters for the Caribbean Wing of ATC. Operated by 1100th AAFBU, ATC. Primary mission was to operate the South Atlantic Transport Route, Placed in reserve status on 1 July 1947. Later re-opened as Palm Beach Air Force Base, 1949
Miami Army Airfield Florida 25°47′36″N 080°17′26″W / 25.79333°N 80.29056°W / 25.79333; -80.29056 (Miami Airport) 1105th AAFBU, Prewar 36th Street Airport in Miami. Was base for Pan American Airways contract pilots flying south along route. Returned to Civil Control in early 1946. Major point of departure for aircraft.
Homestead Army Airfield Florida 25°29′18″N 080°23′01″W / 25.48833°N 80.38361°W / 25.48833; -80.38361 (Homestead AAF) Opened September 1942. 54th, 75th, 76th Ferrying Squadrons, 1104th AAFBU. Was primary point of embarkation for receiving aircraft from domestic points in the United States and for ferrying aircraft overseas, also served as training base for ferrying pilots. Hurricane in September 1945 caused major damage to the base and facility was inactivated. Rebuilt and reopened as Homestead Air Force Base, 1953,
Borinquen Field Puerto Rico 18°29′40″N 067°07′46″W / 18.49444°N 67.12944°W / 18.49444; -67.12944 (Borinquen Field) 1106th AAFBU. 976 miles (1,571 km) from Homestead. Prewar base established in 1936. Primary mission was a landing field, refueling station and aircraft service depot for American aircraft of all types flying to the European and African war theaters. Depending on circumstances, they also had the option of stopping in Cuba or one of the other islands. After refueling and servicing at Borinquen, or even staying over for a period of time, the flight crews could continue on to Trinidad or fly directly to Belem or Recife, Brazil. After the war became Ramey Air Force Base, part of Strategic Air Command. Closed 1971.
Coolidge Army Airfield Antigua 17°08′12″N 061°47′34″W / 17.13667°N 61.79278°W / 17.13667; -61.79278 (Coolidge Army Airfield) 572d AAFBU. 363 miles (584 km) from Borinquen. Built after basing rights in Antiqua obtained as part of 1940 Destroyers for Bases agreement with British. Part of Antillies Air Command. Refueling/servicing stop on route south to Brazil. Became Coolidge Air Force Base, Caribbean Air Command after the war. Closed 1 July 1949
Waller Army Airfield Trinidad 10°36′48″N 061°12′48″W / 10.61333°N 61.21333°W / 10.61333; -61.21333 (Waller Army Airfield) 1107th AAFBU. 674 miles (1,085 km) from Borinquen. Built after basing rights in Trinadad obtained as part of 1940 Destroyers for Bases agreement with British. Part of Antillies Air Command. Refueling/servicing stop on route south to Brazil. Became Waller Air Force Base, Caribbean Air Command after the war. Closed 1 July 1949
Atkinson Field British Guiana 06°29′54″N 058°15′14″W / 6.49833°N 58.25389°W / 6.49833; -58.25389 (Atkinson Field) 1108th AAFBU. 1,021 miles (1,643 km) from Borinquen, 1,997 miles (3,214 km) from Homestead. Built after basing rights in British Guiana obtained as part of 1940 Destroyers for Bases agreement with British. Part of Sixth Air Force. Initially constructed as a bomber field to protect Bauxite deposits at Mackenzie, British Guiana and for reconnaissance over southern Caribbean. Primary mission became South American terminus of ATC Caribbean Wing. Became Atkinson Air Force Base, Caribbean Air Command after the war. Closed 1 July 1949

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