Chimu Airfield

Chimu Airfield
Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, Japan

Aerial view of Chimu airfield, Okinawa
Coordinates 26°27′33.95″N 127°55′04.00″E / 26.4594306°N 127.9177778°E / 26.4594306; 127.9177778
Type Military Airfield
Site information
Controlled by United States Navy
Site history
Built May–June 1945
Built by Seebees
In use 1945
Materials Coral

Chimu Airfield or NAB Chimu is a former World War II airfield on the Pacific coast of Okinawa. The airfield was inactivated after October 1945.

History

World War II

The Chimu Wan area was captured during the first week of the Battle of Okinawa. The Chimu Wan area was surveyed for possible airbase construction in late April 1945 and the 40th Naval Construction Battalion commenced construction of a fighter airstrip there on 6 May.[1] Despite periodic Japanese mortar and sniper fire, by 1 July 1945 the base with its 5000 ft runway was ready for use by US Navy fighters.

Marine Aircraft Group 22 (MAG-22) was based at Chimu in September 1945.

Marine Aircraft Group 31 (MAG-31) was based at Chimu from 1 July 1945 until moving to Yokosuka for occupation duty on 12 October 1945, MAG-31 squadrons included VMF-224[2] and VMF-311 operating F4Us.

VMF(N)-533 flying the radar-equipped Grumman F6F-5N Hellcat operated night defense missions; their new Grumman F7F Tigercats arrived on Okinawa too late to see combat.[3]

VMB-612 operating PBJ-1D and PBJ-1Js was based at Chimu from July until the end of the war. The squadron conducted anti-ship operations including use of the Tiny Tim rocket.

A seaplane base at Chimu was established in July 1945. On 14 July VPB-208 operating PBM-5s deployed to Chimu, they were followed by VPB-26 operating PBM-5s on 15 July, VPB-22 operating PBM-3Ds on 16 August and VPB-205 operating PBM-5s on 25 on August. The USS Hamlin and USS St. George provided tender support.

VPB-13 operating PB-2Ys was based at Chimu from 1–22 September 1945.

The seaplane base was disestablished after it was destroyed by typhoons in September and October 1945.

Location of Chimu Airfield

See also

References

  1. ↑ Building the Navy's Bases in World War II History of the Bureau of Yards and Docks and the Civil Engineer Corps 1940-1946. US Government Printing Office. 1947. p. 402.
  2. ↑ Hammell, Eric (2010). Aces against Japan. Pacifica Military History. pp. 338–339. ISBN 9781890988050.
  3. ↑ Rielly, Robin (2008). Kamikazes, Corsairs and Picket Ships. Casemate Publishers. p. 333. ISBN 9781935149910.
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