Airport type Military Elevation AMSL 21 m / 70 ft Code KPO Province North Gyeongsang Province | Serves Pohang 10/28 2,134 Elevation 21 m Phone +82 1661-2626 | |
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Operator Korean Airports Corporation, Republic of Korea Navy Location Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea Address 18 Irwol-ro, Donghae-myeon, Nam-gu, Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea Similar Pohang, Pohang Station, 포항시청, Pohang Express Bus Term, Pohang University of Scienc | ||
Pohang Airport is an airport in Pohang, South Korea (IATA: KPO, ICAO: RKTH). In 2011, 255,227 passengers used the airport.
Contents
History
Pohang Airfield was originally developed during the Japanese Imperial period.
Korean war
In early July 1950 Pohang airfield was identified as a potential base for USAF operations. On 7 July, Brigadier-General Timberlake deputy-commander of the Fifth Air Force ordered the development of the base. Company A 802nd Engineer Aviation Battalion landed at Pohang and began improving the airfield on 12 July by added a 500 feet (150 m) PSP extension and building hardstands for 27 F-51 Mustangs. The airfield was designated by the USAF as K-3.
Troops of the Korean People's Army (KPA) 12th Division infiltrated the Pohang area in early August and made guerilla attacks against the airfield. By 12 August KPA troops entered Pohang and so on 13 August the 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group evacuated to Tsuiki Air Field in Japan. ROK and U.S. forces routed the KPA several days later, but the continued presence of guerilla units mitigated against an early return to the base.
USAF units based there from July–August 1950 included:
The 802nd Battalion returned to Pohang on 27 September finding the airfield relatively undamaged. The 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group returned to Pohang on 3 October. On 12 October No. 77 Squadron RAAF operating F-51s arrived at Pohang.
In July 1953 the United States Navy deployed two AJ (A-2) Savage aircraft to K-3 as a nuclear deterrent in the final days of the Korean War.
Current
In October 2008 the United States Navy relocated a permanent detachment of MH-53E Sea Dragons assigned to HM-14 from Iwakuni, Japan. This detachment provides Seventh Fleet with a forward-deployed AMCM and heavy-lift asset.