Jinhae Air Base

Jinhae Air Base, also known as Chinhae Air Base, is a naval airfield located in Jinhae, South Korea. The facility is owned and operated by the Republic of Korea Navy.

The airfield was established in 1942 as the 51st Navy Aircraft Factory under the Chinkai Guard District, which served the Imperial Japanese Navy. On April 15, 1949, the Republic of Korea Marine Corps was founded at the site, which was then designated as Deoksan airfield. During the Korean War, the United States Air Force identified the installation as Chinhae Air Base and K-10 Chinhae. Infrastructure developments during this period included the application of a Marsden Matting surface over crushed gravel.

United States Air Force units stationed at the base during the Korean War included the 18th Operations Group and the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing. These units operated squadrons of F-51 Mustangs, including the 12th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 67th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, and 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. The 75th Air Depot Wing was also stationed at the base beginning in 1952. International contributions included 2 Squadron of the South African Air Force, which operated F-51s while attached to the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing between 1950 and 1953.

Historical records indicate multiple aircraft losses at the airfield during the Korean War. Between August 1950 and October 1951, accidents resulted in the write-off of two C-47 transport aircraft and four F-51D Mustangs during takeoff or landing operations.

The base currently functions as a military airfield for the Republic of Korea Navy. It features an asphalt runway and does not facilitate scheduled commercial airline services.