Iesi Airfield

Iesi Airfield

Location of Iesi Airfield, Italy

Iesi Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield in central Italy, which was located near Jesi, in the province of Ancona in Marche.

It was an all-weather temporary field built by the United States Army Air Force XII Engineer Command using a graded earth compacted surface, with a prefabricated hessian (burlap) surfacing known as PHS. PHS was made of an asphalt-impregnated jute which was rolled out over the compacted surface over a square mesh track (SMT) grid of wire joined in 3-inch squares. Pierced Steel Planking was also used for parking areas, as well as for dispersal sites, when it was available. In addition, tents were used for billeting and also for support facilities; an access road was built to the existing road infrastructure; a dump for supplies, ammunition, and gasoline drums, along with a drinkable water and minimal electrical grid for communications and station lighting.

Once completed it was turned over for use by the Twelfth Air Force 79th Fighter Group from October though December 1944, flying combat operations with P-40 Warhawks.

When the 79th moved out the airfield was closed. Today, the location of the airfield is undetermined, as agriculture has obliterated any evidence of its existence.

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

• Maurer, Maurer. Air Force Combat Units of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1983. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.