title: Albrook Air Force Station
text: # Albrook Air Force Station
  
  Albrook Air Force Station is a former United States Air Force facility in Panama. It was closed on 30 September 1997 as a result of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties which specified that United States military facilities in the former Panama Canal Zone be closed and the facilities be turned over to the Panamanian government. It was located on the east side of the Panama Canal just south of Fort Clayton and north of the township of Balboa, Panama. Beginning in January 1999, the air field initiated civilian air service as Albrook "Marcos A. Gelabert" International Airport.
  
  ## Major commands to which assigned
  
  * Panama Canal Department, 1932- 19 October 1940
  * Panama Canal Air Force, 19 October 1940 - 5 August 1941
  * Caribbean Air Force, 5 August 1941 - 18 September 1942
  * Sixth Air Force, 18 September 1942 - 31 July 1946
  * Caribbean Air Command, 31 July 1946 - 8 July 1963
  * United States Air Forces Southern Command, 8 July 1963 - 1 January 1976
  * Tactical Air Command
  
      USAF Southern Air Division, 1 January 1976 - 1 January 1989
      830th Air Division, 1 January 1989 - 15 February 1991
      Air Forces Panama, 15 February 1991 - 11 February 1992
  * Tactical Air Command, 11 February - 31 May 1992
  * Air Combat Command, 31 May 1992 - 30 September 1997
  
  ## Post USAF use
  
  In September 1997, the base was turned over to Panama. It was then refurbished with an operations / control tower constructed; also a passenger terminal (near Building 446, the hangar that previously housed the former Air Force Post Office). In January 1999, the domestic/commercial Albrook "Marcos A. Gelabert" International Airport was relocated to Albrook from Punta Paitilla (across Panama City). Airport is under Panama's Civil Aeronautics Authority (Autoridad de Aeronáutica Civil —previously named Civil Aviation Directorate).
  
  A number of shops, markets, mall and government agencies (Panamanian Red Cross, International Maritime University of Panama) operate out of some of the old buildings and hangars, and most of the officers quarters are now private homes.
  
  The Civil Aviation Authority has its headquarters in Building 805.
  
  