Location
Lat 21.36 N Long 157.96 W  Luke Field was located at the center of Ford Island inside Pearl Harbor and beyond Oahu. Also known as Ford Island Airfield. In 1939, renamed Naval Air Station Ford Island. Prewar and during the Pacific War part of the Territory of Hawaii (Hawaii Territory). Postwar, known as Ford Island NALF. Today located in the State of Hawaii in the United States of America.

Construction
During 1906 to 1918, the United States government acquired Ford Island and developed the island into a military base including an airfield and seaplane base and support facilities. During 1918, a runway was built by the U.S. Army at this location and initially known as “Joint Services Flying Field”. Initially based the 6th Aero Squadron. In 1919, named Luke Field in honor of 2nd Lt. Frank Luke who earned the Meda of Honor and was the U.S. second highest ace in World War I.

Prewar
During the 1930s, Luke Field was shared by the U.S. Navy (USN) and U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) planes including Keystone bombers B-3, B-4, B-5 and LB-6. During 1937, they were deemed obsolete, dumped at sea and replaced by Martin B-12 bombers. Amelia Earhart landed at Luke Field twice. During her second visit in March 1937 flying her Lockheed Electra she crashed on take off.

During March 1938 the Army bombers were organized into the 5th Bombardment Group (5th BG). In January 1939 all Army planes moved to Hickam Field and the name Luke Field was released so a new airfield in Arizona could be named Luke Field. Afterwards, the U.S. Navy renamed the airfield Naval Air Station Ford Island.

Wartime History
On December 7, 1941 Luke Field was at the center of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and Oahu. During the second strike, 26 D3A1 Vals from Kaga dive bombed Luke Field with nine A6M2 Zeros escorting that strafed parked planes.

American units based at Luke Field (Ford Island)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF)
5th BG, 23rd BS Keystone bombers (B-4, B-5, LB-6, B-12) March Field arrives March 29, 1922–January 1, 1939 departs Hickam Field
U.S. Navy (USN)
VP-137 (PV-1) USS Nassau August 9, 1944 departs Kaneohe

Today
Postwar, known as Ford Island NALF. Officially closed on June 30, 1999, because the runway was too short for use by modern jets. The control tower, and several wartime hangars remain to this day, and has been used as a lfilming ocation for Hollywood movies including Pearl Harbor (2001).

References
Douglas B-18 Bolo (2007) page 93
Hawaii Aviation Preservation Society - Luke Field and NAS Pearl Harbor on Ford Island
Abandoned & Little Known Airfields: Luke Field / NAS Pearl Harbor / Ford Island NALF

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Last Updated
June 11, 2026