Villamor Air Base (Nichols Field)

Colonel Jesus Villamor Air Base, located in Pasay City, Metro Manila, is the headquarters of the Philippine Air Force. Established in 1919 by the United States during the insular government era, the installation was originally designated Nichols Field. In 1941, the United States Army Air Forces operated the airfield in the South West Pacific Theatre, where it hosted the U.S. Far East Air Force 20th Air Base Group, the 17th Pursuit Squadron, and Troop F of the 26th Cavalry Regiment. Imperial Japanese forces occupied the site from December 1941 to January 1945, operating it as a Fifth Air Force base. Following Philippine independence, the facility was designated Nichols Air Base before being renamed after Filipino World War II pilot Jesús A. Villamor. In 1997, the base area was reduced to accommodate the construction of Newport City and Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

The Philippine Air Force operates the base primarily as a transport and helicopter facility, which includes stationed units such as the 520th Air Base Wing. The installation shares its runway infrastructure with Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Facilities on site include Maharlika Hall, which serves as the terminal for foreign and domestic trips by the President and Vice President of the Philippines and for arriving foreign dignitaries. The base also houses the Philippine Air Force Aerospace Museum. Hosted aircraft types include helicopters, military transports, and visiting military aircraft including U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey tiltrotors.