Between 1940 and 1943, the U.S. military acquired 2,633.42 acres in St. Croix. The site became known as Benedict Field and served as an auxiliary airfield for Borinquen Field in Puerto Rico. Benedict Field was home to fighter and heavy bomber squadrons for aerial defense and submarine tracking in the Caribbean. The U.S. Army constructed housing and facilities for approximately 1,000 men, runways, roads, and utilities. The Army also constructed a practice bombing range southwest of the airstrip. One target was the Army Air Force Demonstration Bombing Target, and the other was a dive bombing target.
The U.S. Virgin Island Port Authority now owns most of the land associated with the former Benedict Field which they use for the Henry Rohlsen International Airport.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has assessed the site a number of times over the years to evaluate if there is the potential of anything remaining from the Army's training. Based on the results of the Site Inspection completed in 2011, USACE is conducting a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study. We completed the fieldwork for the Remedial Investigation in November 2020, and the team is analyzing the data to prepare a report. Once the report is complete, we will present a Proposed Plan to share our recommendations.
RECOGNIZE - The object you found could be dangerous.
RETREAT - Leave the area without touching or moving the object.
REPORT - Call 911 immediately.