Located just 7 miles west of Pearl Harbor, Marine Corps Air Station Ewa (MCAS Ewa) was hit during the Japanese attacks on December 7, 1941. The station has been abandoned since 1952, but a few of its runways are still visible from an aerial perspective–a perfect glimpse of history from a Pacific Warbird flight.

Initially started in 1925 as a United States Navy airship base, the Marine Corps Air Station Ewa on the island of Oahu became commissioned in February of 1941. By the start of the war, it featured four runways and several airplane hangars–but the December 7 attack impacted all 48 aircraft that were based there, in an attempt by Japanese forces to stifle any American aircraft from becoming airborne. Nine of the 11 Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat fighter planes, 19 scout bombers and each of the station’s six utility aircraft were deemed inoperable.

Marine Corps Air Station Ewa was the very first installation hit during the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor. The MCAS Ewa attack–which occurred just two minutes before Pearl Harbor fell target–left four Marines and two civilians dead, as well as 13 Marines wounded. Following its 1952 decommission, the site meshed into the land of United States Naval Air Station Barbers Point.

Although it now sits an abandoned airfield, the station housed the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing starting in April 1944 and continued to for the rest of the war. On May 30, 2016, Marine Corps Air Station Ewa spent its first Memorial Day with a place on the National Historic Register. Pacific Warbirds was invited to take part in the special commemoration event, with our SNJ aircraft, Sparky, flying overhead.

Pacific Warbirds offers the best Hawai‘i flight adventure tours available. Be immersed in the details of the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor and soar above the important sites that played a part in the “Day of Infamy.” Relive history as you retrace the steps of the Army and Navy airmen in the days following the bombing. Fly on some of the same routes the Japanese attackers used into the airfields at Wheeler, Kāne‘ohe and Bellows. There are many air tours in Hawai‘i, but only one warbird airplane flight. Located in Honolulu, Hawai‘i Pacific Warbirds provides a personal historical experience making it one of the best O‘ahu attractions.

Experience an immersive two-hour adventure that allows you to relive history as a Naval Aviator and fly Pearl Harbor like it was on December 10th, 1941. Learn more about the Admiral’s Warbird Adventure.

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