Ashiya Air Field
Encyclopedia
is a military aerodrome of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force
. It is located 0.5 NM north of Ashiya
in the Fukuoka Prefecture
, Japan
.
) against attacking USAAF B-29 Superfortress
bombers.
Taken over in October 1945 by the Occupying American forces, it was turned into a salvage/scrapping facility by the USAAF 92d Air Service Squadron to destroy former Japanese military aircraft and other equipment. Attacked on several occasions during the war, it was repaired for Fifth Air Force
use as an occupation facility. The 85th Aerodrome Squadron assumed control of the station on 3 April 1946; with Headquarters, 315th Bombardment Wing moving into the facility on 20 May.
On 20 May 1946, the airfield was reactivated for operational use, with the 8th Fighter Group moving to Ashiya from Fukuoka Airfield, operating P-51D Mustangs. During the postwar Occupation Era, a series of American Air Force units were assigned:
With the eruption of the Korean War
in June, 1950, combat missions over South Korea were flown from Ashiya by the USAF 35th and 18th Fighter Groups, with first-generation F-80 Shooting Star jet fighters. The 35th moved to Pohang Airfield (K-3), South Korea in July, being replaced by the 18th. When Pusan East Airfield (K-9) was ready in September, the group also moved to the forward base.
The runway at the airfield were not well-suited for jet fighter operations, as well as the distance from the combat areas stretched the endurance of the early jets. When the 18th Fighter Group moved out in September 1950, Ashiya became a transport base, with C-54 Skymaster
and C-119 Flying Boxcar
s being operated from the airfield. Both during the Korean War and in its aftermath, a series of Far East Air Force troop carrier groups were assigned:
In 1960, with the need for additional USAF forces in Europe and budget restrictions, Ashiya Air Base was closed by the United States, being returned to the Japanese government.
Japan Air Self-Defense Force
The , or JASDF, is the aviation branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces responsible for the defense of Japanese airspace and other aerospace operations. The JASDF carries out combat air patrols around Japan, while also maintaining an extensive network of ground and air early warning radar systems...
. It is located 0.5 NM north of Ashiya
Ashiya, Fukuoka
is a town located in Onga District, Fukuoka, Japan.As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 16,125 and a density of 1,412.00 persons per km². The total area is 11.42 km²....
in the Fukuoka Prefecture
Fukuoka Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on Kyūshū Island. The capital is the city of Fukuoka.- History :Fukuoka Prefecture includes the former provinces of Chikugo, Chikuzen, and Buzen....
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
History
Ashiya Airfield was established as a Japanese Army Air Force facility in 1944, and was used primarily as a defensive airfield, launching interceptors (Nakajima Ki-84Nakajima Ki-84
The Nakajima Ki-84 was a single-seat fighter used by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force in World War II. The Allied reporting name was "Frank"; the Japanese Army designation was . Featuring excellent performance and high maneuverability, the Ki-84 was considered to be the best Japanese fighter...
) against attacking USAAF B-29 Superfortress
B-29 Superfortress
The B-29 Superfortress is a four-engine propeller-driven heavy bomber designed by Boeing that was flown primarily by the United States Air Forces in late-World War II and through the Korean War. The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft to see service during World War II...
bombers.
Taken over in October 1945 by the Occupying American forces, it was turned into a salvage/scrapping facility by the USAAF 92d Air Service Squadron to destroy former Japanese military aircraft and other equipment. Attacked on several occasions during the war, it was repaired for Fifth Air Force
Fifth Air Force
The Fifth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan....
use as an occupation facility. The 85th Aerodrome Squadron assumed control of the station on 3 April 1946; with Headquarters, 315th Bombardment Wing moving into the facility on 20 May.
On 20 May 1946, the airfield was reactivated for operational use, with the 8th Fighter Group moving to Ashiya from Fukuoka Airfield, operating P-51D Mustangs. During the postwar Occupation Era, a series of American Air Force units were assigned:
- 8th Fighter Group, 20 May 1946-25 Mar 1949 (P-51D Mustang)
- 475th Fighter Group, 25 Mar-1 Apr 1949 (P-51D Mustang)
- 347th Fighter Group, 6 May 1949-1 Apr 1950 (F-82G Twin Mustang)
With the eruption of the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
in June, 1950, combat missions over South Korea were flown from Ashiya by the USAF 35th and 18th Fighter Groups, with first-generation F-80 Shooting Star jet fighters. The 35th moved to Pohang Airfield (K-3), South Korea in July, being replaced by the 18th. When Pusan East Airfield (K-9) was ready in September, the group also moved to the forward base.
The runway at the airfield were not well-suited for jet fighter operations, as well as the distance from the combat areas stretched the endurance of the early jets. When the 18th Fighter Group moved out in September 1950, Ashiya became a transport base, with C-54 Skymaster
C-54 Skymaster
The Douglas C-54 Skymaster was a four-engined transport aircraft used by the United States Army Air Forces and British forces in World War II and the Korean War. Besides transport of cargo, it also carried presidents, British heads of government, and military staff...
and C-119 Flying Boxcar
C-119 Flying Boxcar
The Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar was an American military transport aircraft developed from the World War II-era Fairchild C-82 Packet, designed to carry cargo, personnel, litter patients, and mechanized equipment, and to drop cargo and troops by parachute...
s being operated from the airfield. Both during the Korean War and in its aftermath, a series of Far East Air Force troop carrier groups were assigned:
- 314th Troop Carrier Group, 1 Sep 1950-15 Nov 1954
- 61st Troop Carrier Group, 10 Dec 1950-26 Mar 1952
- 403d Troop Carrier Group, 14 Apr 1952-1 Jan 1953
- 483d Troop Carrier Group, 1 Jan 1953-25 Jun 1960
- 316th Troop Carrier Group, 15 Nov 1954-15 Jun 1957
In 1960, with the need for additional USAF forces in Europe and budget restrictions, Ashiya Air Base was closed by the United States, being returned to the Japanese government.