Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field
Summary
| Operating Country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Location | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Status | ◉ Active |
| Usage | Military only |
| Year built | 1942 |
| Operating Organization | US Air Force |
| Units |
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Location & Details
| Coordinates | 32.8875°N, -112.7200°E |
| Elevation | 269 m (883 ft) |
| ICAO code | KGXF |
| Runways |
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Description
Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field is located in Maricopa County, Arizona, 3.5 miles south of the Gila Bend business district. The facility is a component of the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range. It was established in July 1942 as part of the Gila Bend Gunnery Range and served as the headquarters for bombing and gunnery operations during World War II. During this period, the installation was commanded by the 492d (Reduced) Army Air Force Base Unit of the AAF West Coast Training Center and managed range maintenance and targets.
The airfield is owned by the Department of Defense and operated by the United States Air Force, with oversight provided by the Air Education and Training Command. The 56th Range Management Office functions as the garrison unit. The facility serves as an emergency landing site for aircraft from Luke Air Force Base and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, as well as other military units operating within the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range complex.
Active-duty Air Force personnel staffed the airfield until approximately 1995. Since 2011, private contractors have managed portions of the facility's operations. The infrastructure includes an asphalt runway and supports a network of auxiliary fields located within the Goldwater Range.