Iwo Jima Airport
Iwo Jima Airport is an airfield and military air base located on the island of Iwo Jima in Japan's Volcano Islands, roughly 1,000 kilometers south of Tokyo. The facility features an asphalt runway measuring about 8,700 feet long, supporting military operations for the Japan Self-Defense Forces with associated airfield structures and control systems.
The Japanese originally built the airfield before American forces landed in February 1945 and captured it as a strategic military site. After the occupation, Americans expanded and repaired the runways, and the island was returned to Japan in 1968, when the facility became the responsibility of the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
The airport's name and layout reflect the island's long military history dating back to Japanese occupation before World War II. Visitors can observe today how the military facility remains deeply woven into the daily life of this small island community.
The airport operates around the clock and handles primarily military aircraft, with emergency landings occurring regularly due to its remote location. Visitors should expect limited access to the facility as it remains an active military base with restricted areas.
The runway served Japanese defense efforts during World War II and was later used by Americans as an emergency landing site for B-29 bombers before being returned to Japan. This dual history means both Japanese and American aircraft have left their marks on the island's airfield.
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