Wallace Air Station is one of the historical landmarks of San Fernando denoting La Union’s rich history. The station is 101 hectares of land that was chosen as a base point for the 848th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron of the United States Army in the early 1900s.
The facility was formally turned over by the United States to the Republic of the Philippines on September 16, 1991. At present, the Bases Conversion Development Authority is converting the area into a prime tourism and industrial estate.
History of Wallace Air Station
Wallace Air Station was acquired in 1903 for the United States Cavalry. It was originally Camp Wallace, named in honor of Second Lieutenant George W. Wallace, a Medal of Honor recipient from the 9th U.S. Infantry who was killed in action on March 4, 1900 in the Philippines. In November 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt signed an executive order establishing Camp Wallace and Camp John Hay in Baguio City.
While the land was originally purchased for use by the United States Cavalry, it was eventually transferred to the United States Air Force. It was the last home to the 848th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, which provided logistics and administrative support to other radar detachments. Wallace Air Station was deactivated in 1991 following the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.
Other Operations
The station was also home to a Drone Launch Facility, which was run by an Air Force contractor. This facility provided Pacific Air Forces pilots with live-fire training opportunities. Since the drones were not usually destroyed when they were shot down, there was a need to recover them for reuse. Hence, there was a drone recovery boat that was kept moored in the local harbor at nearby San Fernando.
Wallace Air Station also had a number of fuel storage facilities, and was able to provide fuel for the occasional helicopter landing in the area, usually a few CH-3s from Clark Air Base or an occasional Navy helicopter from Subic Bay Naval Base. UH-1s from the Philippine Air Force would also show up, but not too often as there was not enough budget for operations. For larger aircraft such as C-12s or C-130s, the USAF would employ the San Fernando Airport.
Wallace was also home to Voice of America broadcast facilities, as well as various Philippine Air Force antennae.
Poro Point Freeport Zone or the Wallace Air Station
The Poro Point Freeport Zone (PPFZ) is formerly known as the Wallace Air Station. Subsequently, Proclamation No. 216 issued on July 27, 1993, transferred the lands to the BCDA and declared the area as a Special Economic and Freeport Zone.
The zone is home to the San Fernando Airport, which recently completed a 550-million-peso upgrade into a regional airport of international standards that can accommodate larger aircrafts, such as Boeing 737 and Airbus 320. Also, the 30-hectare San Fernando International Seaport, also located in the zone, can accommodate all types of vehicles such as cruise ships, roll-on roll-off (RO-RO) vessels, motor tankers, barges, cargo vessels, motor tugboats, passenger vessels, and fishing boats.
How to Get to La Union?
Poro Point Freeport Zone is located at the northwestern tip of North Luzon, west of San Fernando City, La Union. It is accessible by land via the NLEX and SCTEX with approximate travel time of 5 hours from Manila and more than an hour from Baguio City. If going by air, flight time is about 50 minutes from Manila.
Nearest Accommodations: There are many inns, pension houses, and hotels located in and around San Fernando.
• Oasis Country Resort - Sevilla, San Fernando City, La Union, La Union, Philippines
• Thunderbird Resorts - Poro Point Poro Point Freeport Zone, San Fernando, La Union, La Union, Philippines
• China Sea Beach Resort - China Sea Beach Resort
• Hotel Ariana - Paringao, Bauang, La Union, La Union, Philippines
• Bali Hai Beach Resort - Parungao, Bauang, La Union, La Union, Philippines