Highway Airstrips in Cuba
All highway airstrips in Cuba are DAAFAR (Cuban Air and air defense forces) alternate airfields, and should be categorized as Military alternate airfields. These are established for wartime use, a practice adopted from the Soviet Union, and lesson of the "Bay Pigs" invasion attempt. They are stretches of roadways (usually national highways) that are long straightaways that can be used by military aircraft. The runway of the closed Cayo Coco airport was incorporated into a new national highway for just this reason. Landing at these alternate airfields is a regular part of DAAFAR pilot training. Civilian use of these roadway alternate airfields is strictly prohibited.
Jon R. Chasse
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