MAPS SHOWING OUR AIRFIELDS IN THE PHILIPPINES AND OKINAWA 43 44 Map 1: How We Went to Mindoro Map Source: Horton, Best in the Southwest. 45 Map 2: Orientation Map 46 Map 3: Mindoro Island Area LOCATION: Latitude 12° 23´ N., Longitude 121° 03´ E. One of the islands of the Visayan Group, located in the central Philippines directly south of Luzon. TERRAIN: The part of Mindoro Island on which Elmore, Hill, McGuire, and Murtha airdromes are located is a gently rolling plain on which are a few scattered palm trees and low shrubs. Numerous rice fields are located in the area. LANDMARKS: The airdrome area is located on the SW side of the island, between Mangarin Bay and the mouth of the Bugsanga River. AIRDROMES: Four airdromes: Elmore, Hill, McGuire, and Murtha, each with a single runway, located within a radius of 3 miles. 47 Map 4: Overall Map Showing All Mindoro Airfields 48 Map 5: Murtha – Military Airdrome LOCATION: Latitude 12° 25´ N., Longitude 121° 06´ E. About 5 miles directly north of Mangarin Bay. On west bank of Tabangan River. SIZE: A single runway, 7000 ft x 100 ft, with a 500 ft overrun at each end. SURFACE BEARINGS: NE/SW. Approximately 30°00´/210°00´ Magnetic. SURFACE: Steel mat. ALTITUDE: Estimated at approximately 30 ft above sea level. 49 Map 6: Murtha Field Source: Horton, Best in the Southwest, p. 382. 50 Map 7: McGuire – Military Airdrome LOCATION: Latitude 12° 22´ N., Longitude 121° 03´ E. On beach immediately northwest of Mangarin Bay. SIZE: A single runway, 7000 ft x 100 ft, with a 500 ft overrun at each end of the runway. SURFACE BEARINGS: E/W. 103°00´/283°00´ Magnetic. SURFACE: Graded earth with 1 inch asphalt top. ALTITUDE: 18 ft above sea level. PATTERN: Left if landing to west; right if landing to east, depending on wind direction and instructions from tower – keep out to sea. PATTERN ALTITUDE: 500 to 1000 ft. RON FACILITIES: Accommodations for transient and emergency landed crews. SERVICE FACILITIES: Fuel and oil. Minor repairs only at present. REMARKS: Very soft shoulders. Make normal approach but look out for Hill Field pattern which passes over middle of McGuire runway. Taxiways are unserviceable after heavy rain. Limited parking space. Used mainly by the 90th Bomb Group. Used by 380th before Murtha ready. 51 Map 8: Elmore – Military Airdrome LOCATION: Latitude 12° 07´ N., Longitude 120° E. This airdrome, which was formerly known as San Jose, lies 4.3 miles southwest of San Jose village. SIZE: A single runway, 6000 ft x 125 ft, with a 500 ft overrun at each end of the strip. SURFACE BEARINGS: ENE/WSW. 65°00´/235°00´ Magnetic. SURFACE: Packed gravel. ALTITUDE: 50.44 ft above sea level. PATTERN: Left-hand. PATTERN ALTITUDE: 1500 ft. OBSTRUCTIONS: At east end of airdrome are buildings and trees which are approximately 30 ft high. Glideangle on NE end of runway is limited to 1:40 by these obstructions. RON FACILITIES: Accommodations for transient and emergency landed crews. SERVICE FACILITIES: Fuel and oil. Major repairs available. REMARKS: Subject to unserviceability due to weather. 52