Ishigaki Auxiliary Field #1

Post-war demobilization. The airfield was a temporary tactical facility constructed by U.S. forces in the final months of World War II. It was built specifically to support the planned invasion of mainland Japan (Operation Downfall). With the surrender of Japan in August 1945, the invasion was cancelled, and the airfield became redundant. It was subsequently abandoned and the land was returned to local use.

The site of the former airfield has been completely redeveloped and shows no visible remnants of its wartime past. The land at and around the coordinates (24.377973, 124.194779) is now used primarily for agriculture, consisting largely of sugarcane fields. There is also scattered light residential and commercial development in the area, intersected by local roads. The original runway and military infrastructure have been entirely removed and reclaimed over the decades.

Ishigaki Auxiliary Field #1, also known as Ohama Airfield, was a significant U.S. military installation during the final stage of the Pacific War. Constructed rapidly by U.S. Army Aviation Engineer Battalions (such as the 812th) around June-July 1945 after the island was secured. Its primary role was to serve as a forward base for fighter aircraft of the U.S. Army Air Forces, specifically the Twentieth Air Force. The airfield hosted units such as the 413th Fighter Group, which flew P-47N Thunderbolt aircraft. These fighters were tasked with providing long-range escort for B-29 Superfortress bombers attacking Japan, as well as conducting their own ground attack and patrol missions. The airfield was part of a larger complex of airfields on Ishigaki, including the main field (Miyara, later Old Ishigaki Airport) and Auxiliary Field #2 (Hirae), all crucial for tightening the air blockade on Japan. The ICAO identifier 'JP-1214' is a non-standard code used in some historical aviation databases to catalog closed or historical airfields.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening this airfield. The land has been fully integrated into the local civilian landscape for over 75 years. Modern air traffic for the island is handled by the New Ishigaki Airport (IATA: ISG, ICAO: ROIG), which opened in 2013 and is located northeast of this historical site. Reopening the former auxiliary field is neither feasible nor necessary.