Sinuiju Airport Explained

Sinuiju Airfield
Iata:N/A
Icao:N/A
Type:Military
City-Served:Sinuiju, North Korea
Elevation-F:23
Elevation-M:7
Coordinates:40.0864°N 124.407°W
R1-Number:03/21
R1-Length-F:3,250
R1-Length-M:991
R1-Surface:Grass

Sinuiju Airfield(신의주공항) is an airport near Sinuiju, Pyongan-bukto, North Korea.

Facilities

The airfield has a single turf runway 03/21 measuring 3250 x 213 feet (991 x 65 m).[1] It is just south of the city, which itself is across the Yalu River from the Chinese city of Dandong. It is also a few miles southwest of Uiju Airfield, a military airbase.

History

Korean War

The airfield was designated as K-30 by the USAF and was a frequent target during the Korean War because of its strategic importance, including not only based MiG and Yak aircraft, but also its proximity to major railroad lines.[2]

On 1 November 1950 an RF-80 observed 15 Yaks parked in revetments near the airfield, three flights of F-80s proceeded to strafe the airfield destroying one Yak and damaging 6 others.[3]

On 23 January 1951, 33 F-84s of the 27th Fighter-Escort Wing attacked Sinuiju airfield, provoking a response from the MiG-15s based across the Chinese border at Antung airfield, with 3[4] or 4 MiG-15s shot down in the ensuing dogfights.[3]

In late April 1951 reconnaissance showed that the KPAF had based 38 Yak-9s, Il-10s and La-5s in revetments at Sinuiju.[3] On 9 May 312 Fifth Air Force and 1st Marine Aircraft Wing planes attacked the base destroying all of the aircraft, numerous buildings, fuel and supply dumps.[3]

On 9 July MiG-15s intercepted 6 B-29s that were attacking the airfield, 1 MiG was shot down by escorting F-86s while another was shot down by B-29 gunners.[3]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.landings.com/evird.acgi?pass=183123114&ref=-&mtd=41&cgi=%2Fcgi-bin%2Fnph-search_apt&var=13&buf=66&src=_landings%2Fpages%2Fsearch_apt.html&1=&5=&7=&8=north+korea&6=sinuiju&9=&10=&max_ret=10&start_ret=1 Landings database page
  2. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/dprk/sinuiju-ab.htm GlobalSecurity.org
  3. Book: Futrell, Frank. The United States Air Force in Korea, 1950-1953. Air Force History & Museums Program. 1983. 9780912799711. 219.
  4. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/1000korea/