Type Military base Condition active, as of 2014 Built by United States Owner Philippines | Controlled by Philippine Air Force Built 1898 Phone +63 46 431 7156 | |
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In use 1898 - 1971 United States
1971 - present Philippines Address San Antonio, Cavite City, Cavite, Philippines Similar Ninoy Aquino Internatio, Naval Station Pascual L, Ninoy Aquino Internatio, Cavite National High Sch, Sangley Point National | ||
Danilo Atienza Air Base (IATA: SGL, ICAO: RPLS) is a military base used by the Philippine Air Force, located on the northern end of Cavite Peninsula in Manila Bay, Luzon Island, the Philippines. It is adjacent to Cavite City, in Cavite Province.
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History
On 1 September 1971, the U.S. Naval Station Sangley Point base was turned over the Philippine Navy and Air Force, with the facility being renamed Sangley Point Air Base. The two services jointly operated the facility.
1989 coup
During the December 1989 coup attempt, the base was seized by rebellious military personnel. During the brief period of combat between loyalist and revolutionary elements of the military, a squadron of four F-5A's led by Major Danilo Atienza repeatedly bombed and strafed Sangley Point Air Base, destroying several T-28 combat planes belonging to the coup forces. Unfortunately, Major Atienza's plane crashed during the otherwise successful operation, and he was killed. After the coup was put down, Sangley Point Air Base was renamed as the Major Danilo Atienza Air Base in 1992.
Present day
As of 2009 the base is home to the Philippine Air Force's 15th Strike Wing, 451st Supply Squadron, 570th Composite Tactical Wing, and 1308th Dental Dispensary. It was also home to the Philippine Navy's MF-30 and MF-40 Squadrons and Naval Air School Center (NATS-50).
Sangley Airport Development
Atienza Air Base is the planned site of Sangley International Airport, the leading option for the eventual replacement of Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Following extensive land reclamation and new transportation connections, the current airbase will be absorbed into the much larger development.
Since Rodrigo Duterte assumed office in 2016, Transportation Secretary Arturo Tugade announced that new Airport project bidding will be in January 2017 and the construction will start by mid-2017, to ease congestion at NAIA and traffic along Metro Manila, NAIA however will be become as domestic terminal and Terminal 3 is for low cost carriers. The new airport project can accommodate for Airbus A380 aircraft. Major airlines such as Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific (which possibly become as a full service carrier) will expand their air fleets.