 During the December 1989 coup attempt, the base was seized by rebellious military personnel.During the brief period of combat between loyalist and revolutionary elements of the military, a squadron of four F-5A's led by Major Danilo Atienza repeatedly bombed and strafed Sangley Point Air Base, destroying several T-28 combat planes belonging to the coup forces.Unfortunately, Major Atienza's plane crashed during the otherwise successful operation, and he was killed.