Tokachi Airfield

Tokachi Airfield (十勝飛行場, Tokachi Hikōjō, formerly Obihiro Airport) (ICAO: RJCT) is an airfield located in Obihiro, Hokkaidō, Japan, operated by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). The airfield is situated close to JGSDF Camp Obihiro.

Tokachi Airfield 十勝飛行場
JGSDF Camp Obihiro, taken from ISS in 2009
IATA: none ICAO: RJCT
Summary
Airport type	Military
Operator	Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Location	Obihiro, Hokkaidō, Japan
Built	1937
Elevation AMSL	281 ft / 86 m
Coordinates	42°53′25″N 143°09′30″E
Map
RJCT Location in Japan RJCT RJCT (Japan)
Runways
Direction Length Surface m ft 13/31 1,500 4,921 Asphalt concrete
Source: Japanese AIP at AIS Japan[1]

History

The airfield first opened in 1937 as an airfield for the Imperial Japanese Navy. In 1956, operation was taken over by the JGSDF. In December 1964, the airfield became Obihiro Airport with a 1,000 m runway. In December 1972, the runway was extended to a length of 1,500 m. In February 1981, civil use of the airport ceased ahead of the opening of Tokachi-Obihiro Airport in March 1981.[2] It is still operational as a general aviation airfield ever since the opening of the new airport.

References

1. AIS Japan Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine
2. Ministry of Land,Infrastructure and Transport Hokkaido Regional Development Bureau: Obihiro Airport history Archived 2011-07-23 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 7 August 2009 (in Japanese)