Gimhae Air Base

Last updated
Gimhae Air Base

김해공군기지

Gimhae Gonggun Kige

Kimhae Konggun Kige
UNC-CFC-USFK photo 9E3A0780, Gimhae Gwangju Visit (Flickr id 27422646907).jpg
Gimhae Air Base
Summary
Airport typeMilitary / Public
Operator Republic of Korea Air Force
Location Busan
Elevation  AMSL 6 ft / 2 m
Coordinates 35°10′46″N128°56′18″E / 35.17944°N 128.93833°E / 35.17944; 128.93833
Website
Map
South Korea physical map2.svg
Roundel of South Korea.svg
Gimhae AB
Asia laea relief location map.jpg
Roundel of South Korea.svg
Gimhae AB
North Pacific location map.svg
Roundel of South Korea.svg
Gimhae AB
World location map (equirectangular 180).svg
Roundel of South Korea.svg
Gimhae AB
Runways
Direction LengthSurface
mft
18L/36R2,7459,007 Asphalt
18R/36L3,20010,499 Concrete
Source: Korea Airports Corporation [1]

Gimhae Air Base( IATA : PUS, ICAO : RKPK) is a Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) base adjacent to Gimhae International Airport. Runway 18L/36R is used for military purposes only.

Contents

Units

The base is home to the ROKAF's 5th Tactical Airlift Wing (제5전술공수비행단), comprising:

The ROKAF's 4 Boeing 737 AEW&C Peace Eye aircraft were all delivered to the base which is to be the home base for the aircraft. [2] [3]

Until September 2010 a contingent of United States Air Force personnel of the 607th Materiel Maintenance Squadron served in a co-located operating base on Gimhae Air Base. [4]

History

The base was originally established during the Korean War as Pusan West (K-1) Air Base and hosted United States Air Force and United States Marine Corps units. [5]

On 25 June 1950, 10 divisions of the North Korean People's Army attacked the Republic of Korea. The North Koreans quickly overwhelmed the South Korean Army and moved south. Following the passing of United Nations Security Council Resolution 83 on 27 June 1950, President Truman ordered US forces to defend the Republic of Korea. On 30 June 1950 C-54s of the Fifth Air Force began transporting a battalion of the 24th Infantry Division from Itazuke Air Base to K-1, however the weight of the C-54s damaged the runway and later flights were made using C-47s. On 2 July the Battalion, known as Task Force Smith, boarded trains to Taejon and was destroyed on 4 July in the Battle of Osan. [6]

On 7 July 1950 two L-5s and an SC-47 from the 3rd Air Rescue Squadron (3rd ARS) deployed to K-1 from Ashiya AB in Japan, but the aircraft proved unsuitable for the terrain and returned to Japan on 16 July. [7] On 30 August, the 3rd ARS formally organized Detachment F, with six H-5s at K-1. Following the success of the Inchon landing Detachment F moved north to Seoul (K-16) Air Base. [8]

On 24 December 1950 the Air Defense Section of Marine Tactical Air Control Squadron 2 was deployed to K-1 to establish a tactical air command center. [9]

By April 1951 K-1 served as the headquarters of the First Marine Air Wing and Marine Aircraft Group 12 was based at K-1 to provide aircraft for combat missions and special missions. VMA-513 flying F7Fs and F4U-5Ns were flying out of K-1 and providing the sole night fighter air defense and interdiction support to all UN forces in Korea.

On 31 May 1951 a US Navy R5D-3 #56513 hit a mountain at the end of the base killing all 5 passengers and crew. [10]

In November 1951 the 1903rd Aviation Engineer Battalion arrived at K-1 and relieved the First Marine Air Wing of all responsibilities for maintaining the base and runways. Maintenance responsibility was later assumed by the 366th Aviation Battalion.

A ROKAF Tachikawa Ki-9 at K-1 in 1951 Tachikawa Ki-9 - Aircraft.jpg
A ROKAF Tachikawa Ki-9 at K-1 in 1951

From October to December 1952, the 17th Bombardment Wing was based at K-1 to allow for the resurfacing of the Pusan East (K-9) Air Base runway from PSP to asphalt.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">USAF units and aircraft of the Korean War</span> Overview of the United States Air Force units and aircraft of the Korean War

The Korean War was significant in the fact that it was the first war in which the newly independent United States Air Force was involved.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Douglas C-54 Skymaster</span> Military transport aircraft derived from DC-4

The Douglas C-54 Skymaster is a four-engined transport aircraft used by the United States Army Air Forces in World War II and the Korean War. Like the Douglas C-47 Skytrain derived from the DC-3, the C-54 Skymaster was derived from a civilian airliner, the Douglas DC-4. Besides transport of cargo, the C-54 also carried presidents, prime ministers, and military staff. Dozens of variants of the C-54 were employed in a wide variety of non-combat roles such as air-sea rescue, scientific and military research, and missile tracking and recovery. During the Berlin Airlift it hauled coal and food supplies to West Berlin. After the Korean War it continued to be used for military and civilian uses by more than 30 countries. It was one of the first aircraft to carry the President of the United States, the first being President Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kadena Air Base</span> U.S. Air Force base in Okinawa, Japan

Kadena Air Base is a United States Air Force base in the towns of Kadena and Chatan and the city of Okinawa, in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. It is often referred to as the "Keystone of the Pacific" because of its highly strategic location. It is located 650 km (400 mi) off the coast of China and at a distance of 770 km (480 mi) from Shanghai, a major economic hub. It is home to the USAF's 18th Wing, the 353rd Special Operations Wing, reconnaissance units, 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment, and a variety of associated units. Over 20,000 American servicemembers, family members, and Japanese employees live or work at Kadena Air Base. It is the largest and most active U.S. Air Force base in East Asia.

Daegu International Airport is an international airport serving the city of Daegu and the surrounding area in southeastern South Korea. The airport is also a military base for the ROKAF's 11th Fighter Wing, whose three squadrons fly the F-15K.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Osan Air Base</span> United States Air Force - Korea Air Force base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea

Osan Air Base is a United States Air Force (USAF) and Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) base located near Songtan Station in the city of Pyeongtaek, South Korea, 64 km (40 mi) south of Seoul. Despite its name, Osan AB is not within Osan City, which is 7.5 km (4.7 mi) to the north. The base is the home of the headquarters for Seventh Air Force, Pacific Air Forces' 51st Fighter Wing, and a number of tenant units. The base is also the headquarters of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) Operations Command. Osan Air Base is also the departure and arrival point for U.S. government-contracted "Patriot Express" flights bringing service members and their family members to South Korea from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in the U.S. state of Washington, Misawa Air Base and Yokota Air Base in Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kunsan Air Base</span> Airbase in South Korea

Kunsan K-8 Air Base (Korean: 군산공군기지) is a United States Air Force base located at Gunsan Airport, on the west coast of the South Korean peninsula bordered by the Yellow Sea. It is located in the town of Gunsan, about 180 kilometres (110 mi) south of Seoul.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VMFA-323</span> Military unit

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 (VMFA-323) is an aircraft carrier-based aviation squadron of the United States Marine Corps. The squadron is equipped with the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet and is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, United States. It falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 11 (MAG-11) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing but deploys with the U.S. Navy's Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17). Their tail code is WS and their radio callsign is Snake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Republic of Korea Air Force</span> Air warfare branch of South Koreas military

The Republic of Korea Air Force, also known as the ROK Air Force or South Korean air force, is the aerial warfare service branch of South Korea, operating under the South Korean Ministry of National Defense.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">War Memorial of Korea</span> Military museum in Seoul, South Korea

The War Memorial of Korea (Korean: 전쟁기념관) is a museum located in Yongsan-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It opened in 1994 on the former site of the army headquarters to exhibit and memorialize the military history of Korea. It was built for the purpose of preventing war through lessons from the Korean War and for the hoped for peaceful reunification of North and South Korea. The memorial building has six indoor exhibition rooms and an outdoor exhibition centre displaying war memorabilia and military equipment from China, South Korea and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">18th Wing</span> Military unit

The United States Air Force's 18th Wing is the host wing for Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan and is the Air Force's largest combat wing. It is the largest and principal organization in the Pacific Air Forces Fifth Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">136th Airlift Wing</span> Unit of the Texas Air National Guard

The 136th Airlift Wing is a unit of the Texas Air National Guard, stationed at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas. If activated to federal service, the wing is gained by the United States Air Force's Air Mobility Command (AMC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">133rd Airlift Wing</span> Military unit

The 133rd Airlift Wing is a unit of the Minnesota Air National Guard, stationed at Minneapolis–Saint Paul Joint Air Reserve Station, Minnesota. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">137th Special Operations Wing</span> Oklahoma Air National Guard unit

The 137th Special Operations Wing is a unit of the Oklahoma Air National Guard located at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma. If activated to federal service, the wing is gained by Air Force Special Operations Command. During World War II, its predecessor, the 404th Fighter Group, flying Republic P-47 Thunderbolts, provided close air support to troops following the Operation Overlord, the Normandy landing until the close of the war. The wing is entitled to the honors won by the group by temporary bestowal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">36th Airlift Squadron</span> Military unit

The 36th Airlift Squadron is an airlift squadron of the United States Air Force. It is part of the 374th Operations Group at Yokota Air Base, Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">139th Airlift Squadron</span> Military unit

The 139th Airlift Squadron is a unit of the New York Air National Guard 109th Airlift Wing Stationed at Stratton Air National Guard Base, Schenectady, New York. The 139th is equipped with the specialized ski-equipped LC-130H Hercules for polar operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">164th Airlift Squadron</span> Military unit

The 164th Airlift Squadron is a squadron of the Ohio Air National Guard 179th Airlift Wing located at Mansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base, Mansfield, Ohio. The 164th AS was most recently equipped with the C-130 Hercules.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashiya Air Field</span> Airport in Ashiya, Japan

Ashiya Air Field is a military airdrome of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force Ashiya Airbase. It is located 0.5 NM north of Ashiya in the Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pusan East (K-9) Air Base</span> Decommissioned air base in Busan, South Korea (1950–1990)

Pusan East (K-9) Air Base(동부산공군기지) was a United States Air Force (USAF) and Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) air base adjacent to the Suyeong River in Haeundae District, Busan, South Korea. It was redeveloped in the 1990s as Centum City, a commercial and residential area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suwon Air Base</span> Airbase in South Korea

Suwon Air Base is a Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) base near Suwon city.

References

  1. ↑ "Gimhae International Airport". Korea Airports Corporation. Archived from the original on 19 May 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  2. ↑ "Korea gets 1st early warning aircraft". The Korea Times. August 1, 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-08-11.
  3. ↑ "First ROKAF Peace Eye Boeing 737 AEW&C Delivered". Key Aero. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  4. ↑ "Materiel maintenance squadron consolidating to K-2 Air Base". Stars and Stripes. 15 July 2010. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
  5. ↑ NMUSAF (May 12, 2015). "K-Bases in Korea". National Museum of the United States Air Force.
  6. ↑ Leary, William (2008). Anything, Anywhere, Anytime: Combat Cargo in the Korean War. DIANE Publishing. p. 1. ISBN   9781428990555.
  7. ↑ Marion, Forrest (2004). That Others May Live: USAF Air Rescue in Korea. Government Printing Office. p. 1. ISBN   9780160876257.
  8. ↑ "The rise of the helicopter during the Korean War". History Net. 2011-01-16. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  9. ↑ "Marine Air Support Squadron 2". United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  10. ↑ "ASN Aircraft Accident Douglas R5D-3". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.