Clark Airbase in Angeles City – Philippines
Clark Air Base was a former United States military facility from 1903 to 1991.It has a total area of 14.3 square miles and an additional reservation extending northwards totaling 230 square kilometers. It played a vital role for the American forces at the conclusion of the Second World War and provided logistical support during the Vietnam War.
History
The facility derived its name from Major Harold M. Clark, a resident of Saint Paul, Minnesota, who etched his name in the record books as the first military aviator in the Pacific. Major Clark died on May 2, 1919 due to a plane crash.
Until 1991, prior to the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, Clark Air Base was the center of economy of Angeles City. It was frequented by shoppers because of the cheap imported goods that it sells.
Likewise, it was the site of brothels that fronted as bars and night clubs. After the Pinatubo eruption, the Philippine government developed the area and became the site of the scam-ridden Expo Filipino project.
The Japanese Imperial Army occupied the air base from December 1941 to February 1945.
Location
Located to the west from Dau, Pampanga, southeast of Angeles City, and northeast of Mabalacat, Pampanga. To reach the Air Base, one needs to take MacArthur Highway as well as the San Fernando Railroad Line.
From Military Air Base To Free Port Zone
At present, Clark is being groomed as a major center for the Asian operations of different medium-sized and large companies. The huge expanse of space in the Clark Freeport Zone has played a major role in the establishment of a world-class airport, the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).
Occupying 2,500 hectares of land, the DMIA has two parallel runways measuring 3.2 kilometers making it among the largest in Asia. It can accommodate large and wide-bodied airplanes. Despite having only cargo operations, the DMIA is projected to become the principal international gateway for every commercial aviation services in the country which is expected to further enhance the economy of the Freeport Zone.
What To See in Clark Air Base
For those who would want to maximize their leisure time at Clark Air Base, there are eleven duty-free shops within its confines. Aside from that, the facility is full of bars and fine-dining restaurants. It is likewise where luxurious resort hotels such as Mimosa Fontana, Holiday Inn, to name a few, can be found.
In addition, Clark Air Base likewise boasts of being the home of the Fontana Water Theme Park, Mimosa Regency, and a host of other leisure and recreational facilities.
Clearly, Clark Air Base has easily risen from the ashes of Pinatubos eruption as well as the departure of the American forces that once boosted its economy.
