Ishimine Airfield

Military redundancy and post-war consolidation. The airfield was a temporary, hastily-built strip constructed by the US Army during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. After the war, air operations were consolidated at larger, more permanent, and better-equipped bases like Kadena Air Base and Naha Air Base, making this small, tactical airstrip obsolete. The subsequent rapid urban growth of Naha further cemented its closure and led to its redevelopment.

The site of the former Ishimine Airfield has been completely redeveloped and is now a densely populated urban area within Naha's Shuri district. The land is occupied by residential neighborhoods, apartment complexes, commercial buildings, public schools (such as Naha Municipal Ishimine Junior High School), and parks (like Shuri Ishimine-cho Park). There are no visible remnants of the former runway or any military structures.

The facility, historically known as Yonabaru Airfield (B) or Awase Meadows Airstrip, was a significant tactical asset during the Battle of Okinawa (April-June 1945). Constructed by US Army engineers, its 5,000-foot coral runway was critical for supporting the American invasion. It primarily handled light observation and liaison aircraft (e.g., Piper L-4, Stinson L-5) used for artillery spotting and reconnaissance, as well as C-47 Skytrain transport planes for logistics and medical evacuation. While not as prominent as other Okinawan airbases, it was an essential part of the Allied air power infrastructure that led to victory on the island.

It is important to note that the ICAO code 'JP-1984' is not an official, historically recognized code. It is likely a fictional identifier created for use in flight simulator software or other non-official databases.

None. There are absolutely no plans or prospects for reopening the airfield. The site is a fully developed and integrated part of the city of Naha. Re-establishing an airport would be impossible as it would require the demolition of an entire urban district, including thousands of homes, businesses, and public infrastructure.