Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields
Arizona - Gila Bend area
© 2002, © 2008 by Paul Freeman. Revised 6/15/08.
Gila Bend Airport (2nd location) (revised 1/24/04) - Luke AF Aux #8 (revised 6/15/08)
Luke AF Aux #9 (revised 6/15/08) - Luke AF Aux #10 (revised 6/15/08)
Luke AF Aux #11 - Luke AF Aux #7 SW (revised 6/15/08) - Williams AF Aux #6 (revised 2/6/07)
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Gila Bend Airport (2nd location), Gila Bend, AZ
32.94 North / 112.68 West (West of Gila Bend AF Aux, AZ)
The Gila Bend Airport,
as depicted on the 1964 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Photo of the airfield while in use has not been located.
The Gila Bend Airport was originally located north of the town
as depicted on the 1958 Phoenix Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy).
At some point between 1958-60, the Gila Bend Airport was moved to this location, southeast of the town,
as Anne Miller recalled, “I know that the Gila Bend Airport (2nd location) was open in 1960
because I flew in there on my first solo cross country from Tucson on the way to Phoenix.”
The earliest chart depiction which has been located of the 2nd location of the Gila Bend Airport
was on the 1964 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
It described Gila Bend as having a 3,200' unpaved runway.
The August 1971 USAF Tactical Pilotage Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
depicted both the "Gila Bend" Airport (southeast of the town of Gila Bend),
as well as the new "Gila Bend Muni" Airport (northeast of the town).
The 1972 Flight Guide (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
depicted Gila Bend as having a 3,200' runway 12/30,
(as well as a closed, shorter crosswind runway),
along with a single building (a hangar?) just northeast of the runway intersection.
The Gila Bend Airport at this location was apparently closed at some point between 1972-81,
as it was no longer depicted at all on the 1981 or 1991 USGS topo maps.
As seen in the 1996 USGS aerial photo, the two dirt runways of the former Gila Bend Airport were still quite recognizable,
with closed-runway "X" symbols still visible on both ends of the north/south runway.
The remains of the foundation of the hangar still existed, just east of the runway intersection.
Thanks to Chris Kennedy for pointing out this airfield.
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Williams Air Force Aux #6, Gila Bend, AZ
32.89 North / 112.82 West (West of Gila Bend AF Aux, AZ)
What was then known as "Williams AF Aux #6",
as depicted on the 1949 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Photo of the airfield while in use has not been located.
This field is one of a string of WW2 AAF training airfields along Rt.85 between Gila Bend & Ajo.
It was built during WW2 as one of a large number of satellite airfields for Ajo AAF & Gila Bend AAF.
It is located just west of the still-operational Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Airfield.
This field was listed as Gila Bend Aux AAF #6 in a directory of AZ Airports
in the 5/47 issue of Arizona Highways (courtesy of George Miller),
which described the field as being unattended, and the longest runway as being 3,700'.
It was depicted as "Williams AF Aux #6" on the 1949 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
It was still depicted as an active Air Force field on the 1956 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of John Voss).
It is depicted as "Williams AF #6" on the 1969 USGS topo map.
"Williams AF Aux #6" was still depicted as an active airfield
on the August 1971 USAF Tactical Pilotage Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Williams AF Aux #6 was closed at some point between 1971-96.
USGS photo 1996.
A remarkable composite picture, in which David Brooks has superimposed close-up views
of the numerous former satellite airfields in the Gila Bend area over the 1992 USGS aerial photo.
A February 2007 aerial view by Ken Calman, looking southeast at Williams Aux #6.
The remains of the three 4,000' runways still existed, as well as the ramp area.
Ken observed that among the many WW2-era airfields in this area, this one is “the only one I know of
that looks to be in such good condition, as if it's being used frequently.
This lies just inches west of the airspace of the Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Airport.”
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Luke Air Force Aux #11, Gila Bend, AZ
32.82 North / 112.91 West (Southwest of Gila Bend AF Aux, AZ)
"Luke AF Aux #11" was depicted as closed
on the August 1971 USAF Tactical Pilotage Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Photo of the airfield while in use has not been located.
This field is one of a string of WW2 AAF training airfields along Rt.85 between Gila Bend & Ajo.
It was built during WW2 as one of a large number of satellite airfields for Ajo AAF & Gila Bend AAF.
It is located southwest of the still-operational Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Airfield.
This field was listed as Gila Bend Aux AAF #5 in a directory of AZ Airports
in the 5/47 issue of Arizona Highways (courtesy of George Miller),
which described the field as being unattended, and the longest runway as being 3,700'.
It was still depicted as an active Air Force Field, "Williams AF #5"
on the 1956 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of John Voss).
This airfield apparently was closed at some point between 1956-71,
as it was labeled "Closed Luke AF Aux #11"
on the August 1971 USAF Tactical Pilotage Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
As seen in the 1996 USGS aerial photo, the remains of three 4,000' runways still existed.
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Luke Air Force Aux #10, Gila Bend, AZ
32.72 North / 112.85 West (Southwest of Gila Bend AF Aux, AZ)
“Luke AF #10”, as depicted on the 1969 USGS topo map.
Photo of the airfield while in use has not been located.
One of a string of WW2 AAF training airfields along Rt.85 between Gila Bend & Ajo.
Built during WW2 as one of a large number of satellite airfields for Ajo AAF & Gila Bend AAF.
This field was listed as Gila Bend Aux AAF #4 in a directory of AZ Airports
in the 5/47 issue of Arizona Highways (courtesy of George Miller),
which described the field as being unattended, and the longest runway as being 3,700'.
It was still depicted as an active Air Force Field, "Williams AF #4"
on the 1956 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of John Voss).
It is depicted as "Luke AF #10" on the 1969 USGS topo map.
This airfield apparently was closed at some point between 1956-71,
as it was labeled closed on the August 1971 USAF Tactical Pilotage Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The 1981 USGS topo map still depicted the three runways, but labeled them simply as “Landing Field”.
As seen in the 1996 USGS aerial photo,
the remains of three 4,000' runways still existed.
A circa 2006 aerial view showed the field remained in the same condition.
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Luke Air Force Aux #9, Gila Bend, AZ
32.66 North / 112.87 West (Southwest of Gila Bend AF Aux, AZ)
“Luke AF #9”, as depicted on the 1969 USGS topo map.
Photo of the airfield while in use has not been located.
One of a string of WW2 AAF training airfields along Rt.85 between Gila Bend & Ajo.
Built during WW2 as one of a large number of satellite airfields for Ajo AAF & Gila Bend AAF.
Other history unknown.
This field was listed as Ajo Aux AAF #3 in a directory of AZ Airports
in the 5/47 issue of Arizona Highways (courtesy of George Miller),
which described the longest runway as 3,700', and being unattended.
It was still depicted as an active Air Force Field, "Williams AF #3"
on the 1956 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of John Voss).
It is depicted as "Luke AF #9" on the 1969 USGS topo map.
This airfield apparently was closed at some point between 1956-71,
as it was labeled closed on the August 1971 USAF Tactical Pilotage Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The 1981 USGS topo map still depicted the three runways, but labeled them simply as “Landing Field”.
As seen in the 1996 USGS aerial photo,
the remains of three 4,000' runways still existed.
A 1997 aerial view by Steve Hoza, looking west at Ajo Aux #3 / Luke Aux #9.
The photo is courtesy of Steve Hoza, from the book "Best Place in the Country", by Mike & Steve Hoza.
Several large target circles for aircraft bombing practice are cut into the desert just west of the airfield,
and a road leading to the targets bisected the airfield.
The targets are reportedly still used by fighters from Luke AFB.
A circa 2006 aerial view showed the field remained in the same condition.
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Luke Air Force Aux #8, Gila Bend, AZ
32.61 North / 112.88 West (Southwest of Gila Bend AF Aux, AZ)
What was then known as "Williams AF Aux #2",
as depicted on the 1949 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Photo of the airfield while in use has not been located.
This field is one of a string of WW2 AAF training airfields along Rt.85 between Gila Bend & Ajo.
It was built during WW2 as one of a large number of satellite airfields for Ajo AAF & Gila Bend AAF.
This field was listed as Ajo Aux AAF #2 in a directory of AZ Airports
in the 5/47 issue of Arizona Highways (courtesy of George Miller),
which described the longest runway as 3,700', and being unattended.
It was still depicted as an active Air Force Field, "Williams AF #2"
on the 1956 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of John Voss).
It is depicted as "Luke AF #8" on the 1969 USGS topo map.
This airfield apparently was closed at some point between 1956-71,
as it was labeled closed on the August 1971 USAF Tactical Pilotage Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
As seen in the 1996 USGS aerial photo, the remains of three 4,000' runways still existed.
A circa 2006 aerial view showed the field remained in the same condition.
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Luke Air Force Aux #7 SW, Gila Bend, AZ
32.52 North / 112.93 West (Southwest of Gila Bend AF Aux, AZ)
“Luke AF #7”, as depicted on the 1969 USGS topo map.
Photo of the airfield while in use has not been located.
This field is one of a string of WW2 AAF training airfields along Rt.85 between Gila Bend & Ajo.
It was built during WW2 as one of a large number of satellite airfields for Ajo AAF & Gila Bend AAF.
This field was listed as Luke Aux AAF #7 in a directory of AZ Airports
in the 5/47 issue of Arizona Highways (courtesy of George Miller),
which described the field as being unattended, and the longest runway as 4,000'.
It was still depicted as an active Air Force Field, "Williams AF #1"
on the 1956 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of John Voss).
This airfield apparently was closed at some point between 1956-71,
as it was labeled closed on the August 1971 USAF Tactical Pilotage Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The 1981 USGS topo map still depicted the three runways, but labeled them simply as “Landing Field”.
As seen in the 1996 USGS aerial photo,
the remains of three 4,000' runways still existed.
A circa 2006 aerial view showed the field remained in the same condition.
The airfield is located three miles west of Route 85,
11 miles north-northwest of Ajo, AZ.
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