Shek Kong Air Base (石崗 Shek Kong Airfield)
Summary
Operating Country | 🇨🇳 China |
Location | 🇨🇳 China |
Status | ◉ Active |
Usage | Dual |
Year built | 1938 |
Operating Organization | People's Liberation Army Air Force |
Description
Shek Kong Airfield, formerly known as RAF Sek Kong, is an airbase located in Shek Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong. It is the sole airbase of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) in the Hong Kong SAR, falling under the Southern Theater Command Air Force. The construction of the airfield began in 1938 but was halted from 1941 to 1945 due to the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II, with completion occurring in 1950.
Prior to the British handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997, the airfield served as a Royal Air Force (RAF) station for the British Forces Overseas Hong Kong. From 1989 to 1993, RAF Sek Kong was also utilized as a Vietnamese Refugee Detention Centre, during which half of the runway was closed for temporary housing, limiting operations to rotary aircraft. After the closure of the refugee center in 1993, the runway was restored for fixed-wing aircraft use. RAF squadrons stationed at the base included No. 80 Squadron RAF and No. 28 Squadron RAF, operating aircraft such as the Supermarine Spitfire, de Havilland Vampire, de Havilland Hornet, and Westland Wessex helicopters. The Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force also maintained a permanent presence. Additionally, the British Army's No. 660 Squadron AAC operated helicopters from the airfield from 1970 to 1993 for observation, reconnaissance, and troop-lifting roles.
Following the 1997 handover, Shek Kong Airfield became a PLAAF airbase. The People's Liberation Army Air Force maintains a presence in Hong Kong, with the PLAAF Helicopter Regiment 39968 and the Hong Kong Special Aviation Unit stationed at the base, operating HAMC Harbin Z-9B utility helicopters. The runway features 'H' markings for helicopter landings. While primarily used by the People's Liberation Army during the week, the airfield is also open for restricted civilian use by members of the Hong Kong Aviation Club during weekends for private aeroplane operations and flight training.