Coolidge

What’s in a name? In Antigua, sometimes a whole lot of history. We’re standing in Coolidge, a breezy neighborhood nestled on Antigua’s north coast. Coolidge may seem like a quiet village today, but its name echoes a fascinating past tied to aviation and world events. Coolidge was originally home to Coolidge Airfield, a vital US Army Air Forces base built around 1941. This base was named after Captain Hamilton Coolidge, a US Army Air Service pilot killed in World War I. “Ham” Coolidge, as he was known, had an interesting connection to US history. He was a descendant of President Thomas Jefferson and a close friend of Quentin Roosevelt, President Theodore Roosevelt’s youngest son. Coolidge Airfield played a key role during World War II. Various squadrons, including the 35th Bombardment Squadron and the 12th Bombardment Squadron, were stationed here. They used the airfield as a strategic location for their operations. The Antilles Air Command, a tactical reconnaissance squadron, also called Coolidge home for a period. After the war, in 1948, the airfield was renamed Coolidge Air Force Base. However, due to budget cuts, the base was closed in 1949. Despite the closure, the US retained rights to re-enter. Agreements were made with the UK and later the Antiguan government to maintain missile tracking facilities. Part of the former base became Antigua Air Station. Interestingly, NASA still utilizes this facility for launch tracking even today. Following its closure as a military base, Coolidge Airfield transitioned into a civilian airport known as Coolidge International Airport. This marked a new chapter in its history, shifting from military operations to serving the travel needs of the public. It wasn’t until 1985 that the airport was renamed V. C. Bird International Airport, in honor of Sir Vere Cornwall Bird, Antigua and Barbuda’s first Prime Minister. So, while you may be enjoying the tranquility of Coolidge today, remember that beneath the surface lies a rich history intertwined with war, aviation advancements, and political milestones. The name Coolidge itself stands as a reminder of a remarkable past that has shaped the present-day landscape of this area.