Purnea AFS
Summary
| Operating Country | 🇮🇳 India |
| Location | 🇮🇳 India |
| Status | ◉ Active |
| Usage | Military only |
| Operating Organization | Indian Air Force |
| Units |
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Location & Details
| Coordinates | 25.7597°N, 87.4100°E |
| Elevation | 125 m (410 ft) |
| ICAO code | VEPU |
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Description
Purnea Air Force Station, also known as Chunapur Air Force Station, is located in Goasi on the western outskirts of Purnia, Bihar. The Indian Air Force established the base in 1963 following the 1962 Sino-Indian War. It was constructed to support military logistics and operations in Northeast India, serving as a base for the Siliguri Corridor.
The facility was maintained by the 5 Care & Maintenance Unit until 1974. During the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, the airfield was utilized as a secondary diversion base. The 14 Forward Base Support Unit was established at the station on 1 January 1981. Night-time flight operations at the base commenced in 1987.
The Indian Air Force operates the station. The base has hosted various aircraft types, including squadrons of Folland Gnat and HAL Ajeet aircraft during the 1980s. Other platforms operated from the base include the Hawker Hunter and MiG-21FL Type-77. Between 2003 and 2005, the station hosted MiG-27 aircraft temporarily moved from Kalaikunda Air Force Station. Commercial flight operations were briefly conducted from a civil enclave in 2012.