| Yonpo Airfield Yonpo Air Base | |
|---|---|
F9F-2 of VF-721 about to attack Yonpo in 1951
| |
  Yonpo Show map of North Korea  Yonpo Show map of Asia  Yonpo Show map of North Pacific  Yonpo Show map of Earth | |
| Coordinates | 39°47′26″N 127°32′7″E / 39.79056°N 127.53528°E / 39.79056; 127.53528 |
| Type | Military airfield |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Korean People's Air Force |
| Controlled by | Imperial Japanese Army Air Service Korean People's Air Force United States Air Force |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1940s |
| Built by | Imperial Japanese Army Air Service |
| In use | 1940s-present |
| Materials | concrete |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Chosin Reservoir |
Yonpo Airfield(련포비행장), also known as Yonpo Air BaseorK-27 Air Base, is an airport near Hamhung, South Hamgyong Province, North Korea.
On 2 July 1950 the 19th Bombardment Group launched a strike on Yonpo Airfield based on faulty intelligence there were 65 Korean People's Air Force (KPAF) aircraft there, but only 16 KPAF aircraft were in the field, none of which were damaged by the airstrike.[1] On 19 July carrier aircraft of Task Force 77 attacked Yonpo destroying 15 aircraft.[1]: 99
The Yonpo area was captured by the 5th and 7th Marine Regiments advancing from Wonsan on 30 October 1950[2] and the airfield was put into service by the UN forces. The USAF designated the base K-27.[3] The 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group[4] moved to the base on 18 November and was joined by the Marine Aircraft Group 12[2]: 283–4 on 1 December, both provided close air support to the U. S. Army X Corps and the 1st U.S. Marine Division surrounded at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. X Corps established a casualty clearing and evacuation station at Yonpo for casualties evacuated from the Chosin.[2]: 286
USAF units based there included:
USMC units based there included:
UN units based there included:
Following the successful retreat from the Chosin Reservoir, US Marines of Regimental Combat Teams 5 and 7 prepared a defensive line around Yonpo on 9 December, however General Douglas MacArthur ordered the withdrawal of X Corps to South Korea.[2]: 320 General MacArthur met with General Edward Almond at Yonpo on 11 December and approved the X Corps evacuation plan.[2]: 321 From 14 to 17 December USAF Combat Cargo Command moved 228 patients, 3,891 passengers, and 20,088 tons of cargo from Yonpo.[4] The aerial evacuation from Yonpo continued until 17 December when the field was closed and operations were moved to a temporary field at Hungnam harbour.[2]: 331
The KPAF continues to use the base and several squadrons of Antonov An-2s appear to be based there.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Air Force This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
