Panama Canal Zone Update

Robert H. Emerick Ombudsman and U.S. Cochairman, Ports and Railroad Committee, Panama Canal Commission e-mailed us the following information.

"For the benefit of your readers, the following is an update on events and closures of bases and activities in the Republic of Panama in accordance with the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977 :

Ft. Sherman Army Base - Closed and turned over to the Panamanian government as of June 30, 1999. No facilities remain open. This was the last U.S. military base located on the Atlantic side of the isthmus.

Army bases Quarry Heights, Ft. Gulick, Ft. Davis, Ft. Amador; Albrook Air Force Station; and Navy bases Rodman and Galeta all closed and transferred to Panama between 1997 and 1999.

Howard Air Force Base & Army Ft. Kobbe - Scheduled to close and transfer by November 30, 1999. All space available flights from Howard ceased on May 30th and all air operations ceased at Howard on June 15, 1999. Most facilities previously available to Space-A passengers (movie theaters, fast food operations, APO service, libraries, beauty/barber shops, bowling centers, etc.), will closed by September 30, 1999. Any available Space-A flights to Panama will be via Tocumen International Airport. Transient lodging will be very limited up to closure in October.

Ft. Clayton Army Base - Most facilities similar to those as listed above will close as of August 31, 1999. All medical services at Bldg. 519 will cease on July 31st and some will transfer to Howard AFB until that facility closes in September. Guest house lodging very limited through the summer.

The last military facilities to close will be the Army logistical center at Corozal in December 1999."