Hsinchu Airport

Hsinchu Air Base
新竹空軍基地

Xīnzhú Kōngjūn Jīdì
Located in North, Hsinchu, Republic of China (Taiwan)
Site information
TypeMilitary air base
Owner Air Force Command Headquarters
Controlled by Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service (1936–1945)
 Republic of China Air Force (1946–present)
 United States Air Force (1950–1979)
Location
Hsinchu
Hsinchu
Hsinchu
Hsinchu
Hsinchu
Coordinates24°49′05″N 120°56′21″E / 24.81806°N 120.93917°E / 24.81806; 120.93917
Site history
In use19 May 1936–present
Airfield information
IdentifiersIATA: HSZ, ICAO: RCPO
Elevation26m (85ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
05/23 3,644 metres (11,955 ft) concrete/asphalt
Source: DAFIF[1][2]

Hsinchu Airport (traditional Chinese: 新竹機場; simplified Chinese: 新竹机场; pinyin: Xīnzhú Jīchǎng, IATA: HSZ, ICAO: RCPO) is an airport and military airbase in North District, Hsinchu City, Taiwan.

History

It was constructed during the era of Japanese rule on 19 May 1936 and was named Shinchiku Airdrome (Japanese: 新竹飛行場).

On November 25, 1943, during the Pacific War, an air raid was carried out by a joint force of the United States Army Air Forces and the National Revolutionary Army against the military base. The surprise attack by the Allied forces was successful, and the Japanese military lost a large number of aircraft.[3][4]

As of the late 1990s, the longest runway at Hsinchu was reportedly 12,000 feet (3658 m) long.

Stationed at Hsinchu AB:

  • 499th Tactical Fighter Wing
  • 41 Sqn (Mirage 2000-5)
  • 42 Sqn (Mirage 2000–5)
  • 48 Sqn (Mirage 2000–5).

Accidents and incidents

In July 2020, a Bell OH-58 Kiowa helicopter crashed at Hsinchu Air Force base, killing the two pilots.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Airport information for RCPO". World Aero Data. Archived from the original on 2019-03-05. Data current as of October 2006. Source: DAFIF.
  2. ^ Airport information for RCPO at Great Circle Mapper. Source: DAFIF (effective October 2006).
  3. ^ 中山雅洋 (2007). 中国的天空―沈黙の航空戦史. Vol. 上下. 大日本絵画. pp. 252–255.
  4. ^ 防衛庁防衛研修所戦史室 (1968). 本土防空作戦. 戦史叢書. 朝雲新聞社. pp. 231–233.
  5. ^ "Two pilots killed in helicopter crash - Taipei Times". www.taipeitimes.com. 17 July 2020.