65 SD-ELP Columbus DOCILF

GPS: 31.824810, -107.632151

Location / Airway

Location / Name

NEW MEXICO: Luna County

65 SD-ELP Columbus DOCILF, Department of Commerce intermediate landing field, site 65, San Diego-El Paso Airway 65 SD-ELP
AKA

GPS:

Contract Air Mail

CAM #33 Los Angeles-Atlanta
San Diego-El Paso Airway
Douglas-El Paso Section
Phoenix-El Paso airway

Operator

Robertson Aircraft Corporation and Southwest Air Fast Express (Inc.)
Contract awarded October 15, 1930

Subcontract for mail service on C.A.M. Route No. 33 made October 1, 1931
Between Robertson Aircraft Corporation and Southwest Air Fast Express (Inc.) parties of the first part
Southern Air Fast Express parties of the second part, subcontractor

Observations and Notes

The Columbus Field Arrow is located in the town of Columbus, New Mexico.  The arrow is complete, but parts of it are in poor condition while other parts are still good.  The arrow point and the base where the beacon stood are in good condition. 

All that remains of the base where the generator shed stood is the outside & some inside concrete foundation. 

All that is left of the shaft that connects the beacon & shed base is several concrete foundations. 

The shaft that connects the beacon base & arrow point is missing. 

The total length of the original arrow is 69 feet.

The generator shed, beacon tower, beacon light and some boundry marker cones are at the:

Columbus New Mexico Historical Society grounds behind the Train Depot Museum and Gift Shop.

The pilot would approach the tail of the arrow on a compass heading of 102° (E-SE), and then exit the arrow on a compass heading of 102° (E-SE).
(All measurements and compass headings are approximate).

There is an active airport fairly close to this site, so no aerial drone photos were taken per Federal Regulations.

Columbus Field / Airport/ Aerodrome in Columbus, New Mexico has been in operation since 1916. It started out as an Army Aero Station in the Mexican Punitive Expedition. It was the first time that the First Aero Squadron was in active duty, and is considered the begining of the U.S. Air Force. When The U.S. joined the First World War, the Air Field was unused, the hangers were torn down and used in other places. Planes could still land but there were no facilities for them.  In 1919, it was decided to reopen the Landing Field and new steel hangers were brought in. By 1930 it had a directional arrow, generator shed,and a beacon.  A low powered radio station, KCBY with point to point communication was added in 1933.  The airfield in Columbus was site "65, SD-EL P" from 1931 until 1938 when it was designated site "34, SD-EL P".  It is located on the Douglas to El Paso section of the San Diego to El Paso Airway.

As far as we can find American Airlines was the first to land at the airport and pick up mail.  This momentus event occured on May 20, 1938.  It is unknow how much mail was involved.  This was part of the National Airmail Week promotion as shown by this article in The Deming Headlight.

It was a Government Army Landing Field as shown on the 1924 Air Navigation Map below until sometime in the early 1930's when it is shown as a Department of Commerce Intermediate Field in 1940 it became a CAA Intermediate Field. It was in use as an auxiliary field until the mid 1990's.

It is on the historical register: Village of Columbus and Camp Furlong National Register Number: 75001164.  

The First Aero Squadron Foundation is in the process of restoring the field.  At the writing of this they have purchased the land where the Aerodrome first stood and have 1 runway graded.  They have much work to do and little funds, so if you are interested in this little piece of history and would like to become involved contact them at: First Aero Squadron Foundation.

On March 15, 1916, the First Aero Squadron arrived at Columbus New Mexico. Under the direction of Capt. Benjamin D. Foulois, a mobile base was set up 3/4 miles from Camp Furlong.  They were deployed to Columbus to join an expedition commanded by Brig. General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing following an attack on the small border town of Columbus, New Mexico.  This expediton was known as the Mexican Punitive Expedition.  It marks the first time an Aero Squadron was deployed on active duty.  There are many articles and books written about this campaign. (See the Links Section below for more information about the Mexican Punitive Expedition.)  One of the best that I have found is:  "A Peliminary to War, The 1st Aero Squadron and the Mexican Punitive Expedition of 1916" by Roger G. Miller.  (This link is to a pdf file of the book of 19.43 MB) 
      Photos in this book include the following of the Columbus landing field:
(There is a 10 second interval between these photos, which are believed to be in the public domain.)

Contributors Photos

Links

First Aero Squadron Foundation

Video of the new Landing Field and some of the historical artifact that are still present, plus a little background history.(21:43)

CAA Intermediate Fields

Columbus Airport

Photos of the Village of Columbus before and after March 9, 1916

"Through the Eyes of Aviators"- Service in Mexico 1916

Edited by Captain William E. Flinn Jr.; Aerospace Studies 200 Course Director; Air Force ROTC; Air Training Command (ATC); Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabana; 1974

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This site provides historical information only, do not use for navigation purposes. 
Arrows and Beacons may be on private property, DO NOT TRESSPASS!
ALL photos are copyrighted and may not be used without written permission other than for personal use.