The Curtiss Commando Page
The Curtiss Commando Page

Cairo Payne Field

Airfield Identification

  WWII to present

  Egypt


CITY: Cairo

IATA/ICAO CODES: CAI / HECA

COORDINATES: 30°07'N / 31°24'E

OTHER NAMES: Payne Field (WWII), Cairo International (present)

Commando Operations

During World War II, the USAAF built Payne Field to serve the Allied Forces, rather than take over the existing Almaza Airport located 5km away. Payne Field was a major Air Transport Command air cargo and passenger hub, linking the North African Wing, Central African Wing and Middle East Wing routes. It also housed the headquarters of the latter. After the war, many Commandos left behind in Africa were stored then condemned for salvage at Payne Field.

Units & operators based

1264th AAF Base Unit (Payne Field)

Air Transport Command Middle East Wing headquarters & Station 7 (June 1943 - 1 July 1944)

Commandos based at ATC North African Wing Station 7 / 1264th AAF Base Unit

Last edited: 25/08/2022