The American flag was lowered for the last time Tuesday as the United States abandoned one of its oldest and largest overseas military bases, heavily damaged by a volcano in June.
About 1,000 people watched as an Air Force honor guard handed the flag to U.S. Ambassador Frank Wisner. U.S. officials said about 250 American troops remained at the base but planned to leave later Tuesday for new assignments."The longstanding U.S. military presence is ending," said Maj. Gen. William Studer, commander of the 13th Air Force, which will move its headquarters from Clark to Guam.
In recent years, the United States stationed about 20,000 troops, military dependents and Defense Department personnel at Clark, a major transit and training facility for U.S. and allied forces in the Pacific region.
The 130,000-acre base, about 50 miles north of Manila, was heavily damaged in June when nearby Mount Pinatubo erupted, spreading tons of volcanic debris.
U.S. officials decided to abandon Clark and tried to negotiate an agreement to remain at the Subic Bay naval base, which was less severely damaged by the volcano.
In September, the Philippine Senate rejected an agreement that would have given the country $250 million in aid in exchange for a 10-year lease. Talks are expected soon on a schedule for withdrawal from Subic.
"I think the general mood is probably excitement about going home, being back with your families again, sadness at leaving your friends here all mixed up with some fatigue from working the way we have for the last four or five months," said Clark base spokesman Lt. Col. Ron Rand.A 1990 Philippine government report suggested turning the base into an international airport and agricultural business center. But the volcano damage has apparently put the plans on hold, and it was not immediately clear what the Filipinos plan for the site.
"It's sad," said Sgt. Harry Sharp, 27, of Canton, Ohio, a member of the honor guard assigned to Clark in May. "It's a goodbye to your friends and move on."
The closing of the base is expected to further damage the local economy, which is still suffering from the effects of the volcano.
Antonio Abad Santos, mayor of nearby Angeles, said about 30 percent of the city's 250,000 people have moved away in search of jobs elsewhere.
He said at least 15,000 people had lost their jobs when the base closed and only about 400 have found new employment.
Placards placed near the base praised the Americans and expressed regret they were leaving. "No country can replace you in our hearts," one of the signs read.