It was to be major airdrome with multiple runways designed to serve heavy bombers that were to be assigned to the Philippines prior to the start of World War II.

Several P-40's from other FEAF pursuit squadrons used Del Carmen as an emergency landing strip after the bombing of Clark and Iba Fields on December 8, 1941.

In January 1945, the USAAF re-established a presence at the airfield when the United States Sixth Army cleared the area of Japanese forces.

On September 9, 1947, the Headquarters Composite Group, with a subordinate unit known as the Floridablanca Base Service Detachment, was organized to continue the pioneering venture.

The increasing awareness of the important role of air defense and the gradual expansion of the base led to the activation of other support units.

Basa Air Base was closed in 1955 to pave the way for the gradual transition to jet aircraft operations, which was a move towards modernization and expansion.

Many of the PAF's grounded F-8 Crusader jet fighters were damaged, and residents were evacuated to other Philippine military facilities, such as Camp Olivas in San Fernando, Pampanga and Villamor Air Base in Pasay.

[6] In March 2016, the United States and the Philippines concluded their Sixth Annual Bilateral Security Dialogue session in Washington, D.C. At that forum, one of the first fruits of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) came to bear: the announcement of five Philippine-controlled bases where the United States could rotate troops and pre-position facilities and materials in support of the U.S. Pacific Pivot.

[7] Under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), the United States and the Philippines started the rehabilitation of the air base's runway in March 2023.

Showcasing the Philippine Air Force pilot's skill and proficiency in flying, the team quickly gained nationwide recognition.

In 1974, both teams retired due to economic setbacks brought by the increase in oil prices, inflation, and the Philippine Air Force's heavy losses in its Mindanao campaigns.