In case you didn’t know, Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro, now the home of the Trojans or the 15th Strike Wing of the Philippine Air Force, has been renamed Colonel Godofredo Juliano Air Base (CGJAB). The base honors Godofredo Juliano, who served with the famed 6th Pursuit Squadron and fought Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighters during World War II. For his bravery, he received the Gold Cross from Douglas MacArthur. He later became the first commander of the 1st Fighter Squadron on May 1, 1946, while holding the rank of Captain.
Lumbia Air Base has officially become the home of the 15th Strike Wing following last year’s transfer of key PAF units from Major Danilo Atienza Air Base. These include the 18th Attack Squadron, 20th Attack Squadron, and the 462nd Rotary Wing Field Maintenance Squadron.
Officers of the 15th Strike Wing, led by Wing Commander Joel A. Inacay, have begun referring to the facility as Colonel Godofredo Juliano Air Base. The group recently paid a courtesy call on Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy at City Hall.
Juliano began his career as an aviation cadet of the Philippine Army Air Corps Flying School Class of 1939A. During World War II, he flew a Boeing P-26 Peashooter with the 6th Pursuit Squadron, battling Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighters. Known for his bravery, he once tried to ram an enemy plane when his guns jammed and helped save fellow pilot Antonio Mondigo during a dogfight. After being captured and later released by Japanese forces, he joined Allied intelligence and helped coordinate an airstrike that destroyed Japanese aircraft in Negros.
After the war, Godofredo Juliano became an important figure in the development of the Philippine Air Force. He became the first commander of the 1st Fighter Squadron on May 1, 1946 while holding the rank of Captain. He later flew the North American P-51 Mustang and helped introduce the jet age to the PAF in 1955. Juliano was also one of the first Filipino pilots to fly the Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star and later trained in the United States, becoming the first—and only—full Colonel to graduate from the United States Air Force jet fighter school.
Juliano is buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
