Namponmao

  1944 to present

  Burma

CITY: Myitkyina, Burma

IATA/ICAO CODES: --- / VYNP

COORDINATES: 25°21'N / 97°18'E

OTHER NAMES: Namponmao, Myitkyina West Airfield, Nampong AFB

In 1944, as Allied forces were advancing through Burma, Myitkyina airfield became overcrowded. The USAAF decided to build another airfield 6 km to the west, known as Namponmao or Myikyina West. The new airfield was used primarily as a transport facility during the Burma Campaign (1944-1945) by the 10h Air Force 4th Combat Cargo Group beginning in June 1945. The group used itas a combat resupply airfield, air-dropping pallets of supplies and ammunition to the advancing Allied forces on the ground with its fleet of Commandos.

With the defeat of the Japanese forces in Burma, the group began cargo and passenger flights over the "Hump" to and from China, assisting the movement of the 3rd Combat Cargo Group to Shanghai. The Americans left Namponmao in November 1945, and the airfield was later turned by the Burmese Air Force into Nampong Air Force Base.

1356^th AAF Base Unit (Namponmao)

4^th Combat Cargo Group (June 1945 to November 1945)

4^th Combat Cargo Group, 16^th Combat Cargo Squadron (June 1945 to September 1945 & October 1945 to November 1945)