|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
   USAAF October 20, 1945  USAF 1950  RAAF April 1952  USAF Sept 21, 1953 |
Location Lat 37° 33′ 29″ N Long 126° 47′ 26″ E Gimpo Airfield (Kimpo) is located at 58' above sea level at the western edge of Seoul in the Republic of Korea (South Korea). During the Korean War, designated K-14. Also known as Gimpo Air Base or Kimpo Air Base. Today known as Gimpo Airport. Construction During 1935, the Japanese initiated construction of an airfield at this location. Most of the construction was performed by Korean laborers who hauled rocks from Kai Hwa San and Yang Chan to use as the rock bed for the runway. Around 1942, Kimpo airfield was completed. World War II History Used by the Japanese during 1942 until their official surrender in September 1945 and was never attacked by American aircraft during the Pacific War. Occupied by U.S. Army forces, many intact Japanese aircraft were captured at the undamaged airfield, including many Ki-51 Sonias. During 1949, American forces turned Kimpo over to the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROK Air Force). Korean War During 1950, at the start of the Korean War when ROK forces were overun, they abandoned Kimpo Airfield to the North Korean forces. After the U.N. landing at Inchon, Gimpo Airfield was liberated and returned to United Nations (U. N.) control. Immediately, Kimpo Airfield was developed into an important base for American and U.N. forces in support of operations in Korea. During the Korean War, designated "K-14" by the United States Air Force (USAF) and known as "Kimpo Air Base". American units based at Kimpo (Seoul) 1950 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing (FBW) When Communist forces including Chinese troops again attacked the Seoul area, Kimpo was again was captured then liberated by U.N. forces. American units based at Kimpo (Seoul) 1951-1953 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing (FBW) April - August 1951 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing On September 21, 1953 North Korean MiG-15bis 2015357 took off piloted by Lt. No Kum-sok who defected across the 38th parallel and landed at Kimpo Air Base (K-14). His intact aircraft was transported to the United States for technical evaluation. Postwar After the Korean War, Kimpo continued to be used by USAF and the ROK as a military airfield. In 1958, designated Seoul Airport or Seoul international Airport and used as the primary airport servicing Seoul. Also known as Gimpo International Airport (Gimpo Gukje Gonghang, 김포국제공항). Today In 2001, replaced by Incheon International Airport as the primary international airport servicing Seoul. Today, this airport is the second largest in South Korea. The airport has two runways: 10,499' asphalt surfaced and 11,811' concrete surfaced. Airport code: IATA: GMP, ICAO: RKSS. References Seoul Airport (Gimpo Airport) - Official Website Fourth's Korean Home Has Long History by A/1C James L. Vasquez Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 Map Fallingrain |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
