Tsuiki Air Field (Tsuiki Hikōjō, Tsuiki Kichi, 築城飛行場)
Informations clés
| Pays opérateur | 🇯🇵 Japon |
| Emplacement | 🇯🇵 Japon |
| Statut | ◉ Active |
| Utilisation | Military uniquement |
| Année de construction | 1942 |
| Organisation opératrice | Japan Air Self-Defense Force |
| Unités |
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Description
Tsuiki Air Field is located on the northeast coast of Kyūshū, Japan, straddling the municipalities of Tsuiki, Yukuhashi, and Miyako. The Imperial Japanese Army Air Force (IJAAF) established the facility on October 1, 1942. During World War II, the airfield supported Operation Kikusui kamikaze missions using Yokosuka P1Y bombers. On August 9, 1945, fighters launched from Tsuiki attempted to intercept the B-29 bomber en route to Nagasaki. Following the war, the United States Air Force (USAF) utilized the base during the Korean War for F-51 Mustang operations and F-86 maintenance before returning the facility to Japanese control in June 1957.
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) began pilot training at the site in 1955. Current operations are managed by the JASDF 8th Air Wing, part of the Western Air Defense Force. Stationed units include the 6th Tactical Fighter Squadron and the 8th Tactical Fighter Squadron, both operating Mitsubishi F-2A/B aircraft. Ground-based air defense is provided by the 7th Anti-Aircraft Squadron of the 2nd Air Defence Missile Group, which operates the MIM-104 Patriot system. Since March 2008, the base has also managed air traffic control operations for Kitakyushu Airport and Yamaguchi Ube Airport.
The airfield infrastructure includes a runway with a western section extending 300 meters into the Gulf of Suo. The JR Kyushu Nippō Main Line tracks follow the southern boundary of the base.
Recent organizational changes include the 2016 transfer of the 304th Squadron to Okinawa. This unit was replaced the same year by the 8th Tactical Fighter Squadron, which relocated to Tsuiki from Misawa Air Base. Previously, the 6th Squadron transitioned to its current Mitsubishi F-2 airframes in 2004.