"Thomas J. Paladino Jr." wrote:

A while ago, I remember seeing an overhead color photo of an airbase, I
believe in the pacific theatre, which had a very odd shape. There were
apparantly no actual runways, but rather a huge tarmac circle. I would
assume that the reason for this would be to allow an aircraft to take off &
land regardless of the wind direction, although it requires a huge amount of
space (and pavement).

Does anyone have any more information on this? Did I see this base
correctly, or was there more to it? Anyone know which base this could have
been, or if the 'circle runway' was common?

Thanks!

no longer common , but not unknown
check out the Converse & Galveston airports in Indiana

http://www.airfields-freeman.com/IN/Airfields_IN_N.htm

and the Francis airfield in Florida

http://members.tripod.com/airfields_...xS.htm#francis