Pie de la Cuesta Air Force Base (Estación Aeronaval de Salina Cruz)

Summary

Operating Country 🇲🇽 Mexico
Location 🇲🇽 Mexico
Status Active
UsageMilitary only
Year built1945
Operating OrganizationMexican Air Force
Units
  • 204th Fighter Air Squad
  • 102nd Air Squad

Location & Details

Map of Pie de la Cuesta Air Force Base
Coordinates16.8417°N, -99.9483°E
Elevation6 m (20 ft)
ICAO codeMM41
Runways
  • 10/28 [asphalt]

Description

Pie de la Cuesta Air Force Base, officially designated as Base Aérea Militar No. 7 General de División Gustavo G. León González (B.A.M. 7), is located in the Acapulco Metropolitan Area of Guerrero, Mexico. The facility was inaugurated in 1945 to serve as the civil airport for Acapulco. Management of the site was transferred to the Mexican Air Force on April 23, 1953, following the opening of Acapulco International Airport. During the period of the Mexican Dirty War, the base functioned as a clandestine detention center and was used for "death flights," in which individuals were dropped from military aircraft into the Pacific Ocean.

The Mexican Air Force operates the installation, which hosts the 204th Fighter Air Squad and the 102nd Air Squad. The 204th Fighter Air Squad operates Pilatus PC-7 aircraft, while the 102nd Air Squad operates Bell 206 and Bell 212 helicopters. Infrastructure at the base includes an aircraft apron with parking positions for narrow-body aircraft and helipads. The facility also contains three hangars, a control tower, and housing for military personnel.

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