Ching Chuan Kang Air Base

Started in 1957, this airfield was given the highest priority of several projects begun after the situation between Taiwan and Mainland China became tense in the mid-1950's. Kung Kuan Air Base was renamed Ching Chuan Kang Air Base on 20 March 1966 and was thereafter known throughout the theater by its initials, CCK. As of the late 1990s, the longest runway at Ching Chuan Kang was reportedly 12,000 feet long.

Ching Chuan Kang Air Base is the home to the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, with three squadrons of Ching-kou (IDF) air-defense /attack fighters. It is also used by the army's airborne and special operations command. In May 1999 it was reported that China had built a replica of Ching Chuan Kang AB at a site near Dingxin airport in the northwest province of Gansu, presumably to train units assigned to attack the Taiwanese facility in the event of conflict.

Taiwan obtained an initial batch of of American F-104 Starfighters in 1960-61, and eventually received over 200 of these aircraft, all of which were withdrawn from service in the early 1990s. The Starfighters were operated by the 2nd/499th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hsinchu, the 3rd/427th TFW at Ching Chuan Kang AB, and the 5th/401st Tactical Combined Wing at Taoyuan.

In February 1968 the United States Air Force 4200th Air Refueling Squadron deployed to Ching Chuan Kang Air Base, bringing tankers formerly based at Takhli, Thailand. The unit joined the 314th Troop Carrier Wing [TCW], which had been based at Ching Chuan Kang since 1965. The increase in the B-52 sortie rates over Vietnam necessitated relocation of KC-135's which provided PACAF fighter support. Ten PACAF support tankers (five from Takhil and five from Kadena) and five U-Tapao based radio relay aircraft were moved to Ching Chuan Kang by February 1968, along with approximately 450 additional personnel. The KC-135s were redeployed to permit increased B-52 operations at U-Tapao and F-111 deployment at Takhli. U-Tapao and Takhli were extremely crowded and could not accommodate new deployments without reduction in number of KC-135's. The move of the KC-135's from Kadena to Ching Chuan Kang increased their effectiveness since they would be based nearer to Vietnam refueling areas. Two Yokota [Japan] based EB-57s deployed to Ching Chuan Kang AB, Taiwan, between November 29 and December 8, 1968. These aircraft provided Republic of China Air Defense pilots an opportunity to detect and intercept enemy aircraft that used electronic countermeasure (ECM) equipment. On 20 February 1972 a Lockheed HC-130 set world record [that still stands] for a great circle distance without landing with a turboprop aircraft of 8,732.09 miles, flying from Ching Chuan Kang AB to Scott AFB, IL.

Ching Chuan Kang Air Base
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VMAP of Ching Chuan Kang Air Base and surrounding area. (Source: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency)
Tactical Pilotage Chart of Ching Chuan Kang Air Base. (Source: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency)	Tactical Pilotage Chart of Ching Chuan Kang Air Base and surrounding area. (Source: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency)
Ikonos browse imagery of Ching Chuan Kang and surrounding area (Source: Space Imaging, 6 March 2001)	Ikonos browse imagery of Ching Chuan Kang Airbase. (Source: Space Imaging, 6 March 2001
Declassified Corona Satellite imagery of Ching Chuan Kang airbase. 11 February 1969. (Source: National Archives)	Declassified Corona Satellite imagery of Ching Chuan Kang airbase. 11 February 1969 (Source: National Archives)
Declassified Corona Satellite imagery of Ching Chuan Kang airbase. 11 February 1969. (Source: National Archives)	Declassified Corona Satellite imagery of Ching Chuan Kang airbase. 11 February 1969 (Source: National Archives)
Declassified Corona Satellite imagery of Ching Chuan Kang airbase. 11 February 1969. (Source: National Archives)	Declassified Corona Satellite imagery of Ching Chuan Kang airbase. 11 February 1969 (Source: National Archives)
Declassified Corona Satellite imagery of Ching Chuan Kang airbase. 11 February 1969. (Source: National Archives)	Declassified Corona Satellite imagery of Ching Chuan Kang airbase. 11 February 1969 (Source: National Archives)
Declassified Corona Satellite imagery of Ching Chuan Kang airbase. 11 February 1969. (Source: National Archives)	Declassified Corona Satellite imagery of Ching Chuan Kang airbase. 11 February 1969 (Source: National Archives)
Declassified Corona Satellite imagery of Ching Chuan Kang airbase. 11 February 1969. (Source: National Archives)	Declassified Corona Satellite imagery of Ching Chuan Kang airbase. 11 February 1969 (Source: National Archives)
Declassified Corona Satellite imagery of Ching Chuan Kang airbase. 11 February 1969. (Source: National Archives)	Declassified Corona Satellite imagery of Ching Chuan Kang airbase. 11 February 1969 (Source: National Archives)
Declassified Corona Satellite imagery of Ching Chuan Kang airbase. 11 February 1969. (Source: National Archives)	Declassified Corona Satellite imagery of Ching Chuan Kang airbase. 11 February 1969 (Source: National Archives)
Declassified Corona Satellite imagery of Ching Chuan Kang airbase. 11 February 1969. (Source: National Archives)	Declassified Corona Satellite imagery of Ching Chuan Kang airbase. 11 February 1969 (Source: National Archives)