Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields:
Arizona: Northeastern Phoenix area
© 2002, © 2009 by Paul Freeman. Revised 1/24/09.
Casa Blanca Airport (revised 1/24/09) - North Phoenix Airport / Cactus Development Inc. Airport (revised 1/24/09) - Papago AAF (revised 1/24/09)
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Papago Army Airfield (P18), Phoenix, AZ
33.46 North / 111.96 West (Northeast of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, AZ)
A February 15, 1959 aerial view (from the Maricopa County Flood Control District) of Papago AAF.
This odd little military airfield is not only located within a major city,
but its primary runway is squeezed directly adjacent to Barnes Butte, which rises 500' above the runway.
Papago Army Airfield was evidently established at some point between 1958-59,
as it was not yet depicted at all on a 1949 aerial photo
nor on the 1958 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The earliest depiction which has been located of Papago AAF
was a February 15, 1959 aerial view (from the Maricopa County Flood Control District).
It depicted the field as having a paved northeast/southwest runway & an unpaved east/west strip,
with a small hangar on the southwest side.
The 1960 Jeppesen Airway Manual (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
depicted Papago AAF as having a single 2,400' paved Runway 1/19,
and a 3,300' unpaved Runway 9/27.
A large number of buildings were depicted on the southwest corner of the field.
Papago AAF was depicted on the August 1962 Gila River USAF Operational Navigation Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
Papago's east/west runway had been paved by the time of a 1962 aerial view (from the Maricopa County Flood Control District).
The 1966 Phoenix Local Aeronautical Chart depicted "Papago AAF" as having a 3,000' unpaved runway.
Papago's runway was slightly lengthened in the next two years,
as the July 1968 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of David Brooks)
depicted the field as having a 3,500' unpaved runway.
A January-March 1969 aerial view (from the Maricopa County Flood Control District)
showed 4 light single-engine fixed-wing planes on the southwest ramp of Papago AAF.
The Arizona National Guard's 997th Assault Helicopter Company was established at Papago Army Airfield in 1971.
It was originally Delta Platoon & equipped with UH-1C Huey Gunships.
During the next 7 years the 997th was involved in several state emergencies
which include the "Mud Lifts" on the Hopi & Navajo Indian reservations,
airlifting food & supplies to the Indians stranded by an unusual amount of snow & rain.
Papago was depicted as having a paved runway
on the 1976 Phoenix Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy).
A February 1978 aerial view looking northwest at Papago AAF by Chris Kennedy
depicted the field as having 2 asphalt runways & an asphalt ramp with a few small hangars.
A ramp had been added to the southeast side of the runway at some point between 1969-78,
with multiple helicopter parking spots.
During October 1978, Papago's Delta Platoon was redesignated
Detachment 1, Delta Company, 149th Aviation Battalion, 49th Division (Mech).
By this time the unit had transitioned to UH-1M Gunships & OH-58A aeroscout aircraft.
By October 1980, all the assets were transferred to Arizona
and the unit was designated Delta Company, 149th Aviation Battalion, 49th Division.
In 1980, Delta Company performed its first Joint Air Attack Training live fire exercise.
In 1980 & 1981, Delta Company was awarded the Goodrich Riding Trophy,
a recognition as the best Reserve Component Attack Company in the United States.
From 1980-86, Delta Company participated in Joint Chiefs of Staff live fire exercises called "Cactus Arizona".
From 1983-86, Delta Company transitioned from UH-1M Hueys to AH-1S Cobra Gunships.
The June 1985 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of David Brooks)
depicted "Papago AAF (NG)" as having two paved runways, with the longest being 3,500',
as well as its own control tower.
In August 1986, Papago's Delta Company was moved to the new training facilities at Silverbell Army Heliport in Marana, Arizona.
The 1992 USGS topo map (courtesy of David Brooks)
depicted Papago Army Airfield as having two paved runways, with a hangar on the south side of the field.
Fixed-wing flight operations from Papago were evidently discontinued at some point between 1985-97,
as the 1997 USGS aerial photo depicted the former primary runway (the east/west runway) as having closed-runway "X" markings.
There appear to be a total of 9 helicopters (possibly UH-60s & OH-58s)
parked on the helicopter parking spots on the south side of the field.
Papago was depicted as an Army Heliport on the October 2004 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of David Brooks).
As of 2004, the FAA records for Papago Army Heliport listed the only landing facility as a 600' x 400' asphalt helipad.
The remarks said, "Airport closed to H-46 & H-53 helicopters & fixed-wing aircraft.
Remain south of closed Runway 8/26 for pad landing."
As of 2004, there is still a National Guard helicopter unit based at Papago,
which evidently flies UH-60 Blackhawks & OH-58 Kiowas.
The Arizona Military Museum is located at the Papago Park Military Reservation.
Their collection includes a UH-1M Huey Gunship on display.
A 2005 aerial view looking east at Papago AAF.
What appear to be several UH-60 Blackhawks were visible on the ramp.
A circa 2006 aerial view looking south at a static display alongside the entrance to Papago AAF,
including an AH-1 Cobra, A-7 Corsair, and M-109 self-propelled howitzer.
A circa 2006 aerial view looking south at Papago's ramp,
showing 4 UH-60 Blackhawks in front of a hangar.
Obviously no more fixed-wing flying occurs from Papago,
as a circa 2006 aerial view looking east at the former main east/west runway
shows that the runway is used to store trucks & trailers.
Papago Army Heliport is located northwest of the intersection of East McDowell Road & North 52nd Street,
only 2 miles northeast of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
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Casa Blanca Airport, Scottsdale, AZ
33.52 North / 111.93 West (Northeast of Phoenix, AZ)
Casa Blanca Airport, as depicted on the 1948 USAF Phoenix Urban Area Chart (courtesy of Scott O'Donnell).
This little airport was located on the grounds of the Casa Blanca Inn,
adjacent to the east side of Camelback Mountain.
Casa Blanca Airport was apparently built at some point between 1945-48,
as it was not depicted on the 1945 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of John Voss).
The earliest reference to the Casa Blanca Airport which has been located
is the 1948 USAF Phoenix Urban Area Chart (courtesy of Scott O'Donnell),
which depicted it as having a single northwest/southeast runway.
A February 15, 1949 aerial view (from the Maricopa County Flood Control District)
depicted the Casa Blanca Airport as having a single unpaved northwest/southeast runway,
with a parking ramp on the east side, and a paved taxiway (on which was visible a single light aircraft)
leading to the Casa Blanca Inn to the southwest.
Jody Smith used to live right across the street from the Casa Blanca Airport,
“which was located between 64th Street & 68th Street
and bordered on the north & south by Jackrabbit Road & Chaparrel Road.
We used to watch the planes land with famous people (movie stars & such) that were staying at the Casa Blanca.
That was in the early 1950s.”
The Casa Blanca Inn Airport was described in the Aerodromes table on the 1956 Phoenix Sectional chart (courtesy of John Voss)
as having a single 2,800' bare runway.
The Casa Blanca Airfield was still intact in a February 20, 1959 aerial view (from the Maricopa County Flood Control District).
There were no aircraft visible on the field.
According to Jody Smith, "In the 1960s it was sold & the new owners walled it in & built expensive condos, etc... no more airfield."
A 1962 aerial view (from the Maricopa County Flood Control District)
showed that streets had been built over the former runway,
portions of which were still recognizable.
Casa Blanca was apparently closed prior to 1964,
as it was no longer depicted at all on the 1964 Phoenix Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy).
A 1969 aerial view (from the Maricopa County Flood Control District)
showed that houses had covered the site, leaving no trace of the former airfield.
A 2001 aerial photo shows that some of the buildings of the original Casa Blanca Inn still stand,
but no trace of the former airfield remain.
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North Phoenix Airport / Cactus Development Inc. Airport, Cactus, AZ
33.6 North / 112.03 West (North of Phoenix, AZ)
North Phoenix Airport, as depicted on the 1948 USAF Phoenix Urban Area Chart (courtesy of Scott O'Donnell).
The date of construction of this general aviation airport has not been determined.
The North Phoenix Airport was apparently built at some point between 1945-48,
as it was not depicted on the 1945 Phoenix Sectional Chart (courtesy of John Voss).
The earliest reference to the airfield which has been located
is the 1948 USAF Phoenix Urban Area Chart (courtesy of Scott O'Donnell),
which depicted the North Phoenix Airport as having 2 runways
(with one runway appearing to go uphill, onto the slope of a small peak located just northeast of Cactus).
The earliest photo which has been located of the North Phoenix Airport
was a February 17, 1949 aerial view (from the Maricopa County Flood Control District).
It depicted North Phoenix as having 2 unpaved runways.
It did not appear as if the airfield had any buildings, nor were any aircraft apparent on the property.
It was labeled as the “Cactus Development Inc. Airport” on a 1952 Chevron street map.
North Phoenix Airport was described in the Aerodromes table on the 1956 Phoenix Sectional chart (courtesy of John Voss)
as having two bare runways, with the longest being 3,500'.
A 1958 aerial photo (courtesy of John Arthur) depicted the North Phoenix Airport as having 2 unpaved runways,
oriented east/west & northeast/southwest.
A circa 1960 street map (courtesy of John Arthur) depicted the North Phoenix Airport as having 2 runways.
North Phoenix Airport was apparently closed at some point between 1956-62,
as a 1962 aerial view (from the Maricopa County Flood Control District)
showed that the western half of the site had been covered with houses,
while the eastern half of the 2 runways still remained intact.
A 1969 aerial view (from the Maricopa County Flood Control District)
showed the eastern half of the 2 runways still remained intact.
A 1979 aerial view (from the Maricopa County Flood Control District)
showed that not a trace of the former airport appeared to remain,
with housing & shopping (the Cobblestone Plaza) covering all of the former airfield property.
A circa 2000 aerial photo of the site of the former airport.
The site of North Phoenix Airport is located northeast of the intersection of East Cactus Road & North Cave Creek Road.
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