Naha Air Base Okinawa

Naha Air Base, located in Okinawa, Japan, has a rich military history dating back to World War II, when it was initially constructed and utilized by the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service. Following the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, the base was seized and expanded by United States forces, becoming an important hub for the U.S. Air Force during the postwar occupation and throughout the Cold War. In 1972, with the reversion of Okinawa to Japanese sovereignty, control of Naha Air Base was transferred to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). Today, it serves as a key base for the JASDF, housing the 9th Air Wing and playing a vital role in the air defense of Japan’s southwestern region.