Pohang Airport (G-815/K-3) (KPO)

Pohang Gyeongju Airport (KPO), designated RKTH and historically known as Pohang Airport (G-815/K-3), operates as a dual-use military and civilian aviation facility serving the cities of Pohang and Gyeongju in South Korea's North Gyeongsang Province, positioned at coordinates 35.988°N, 129.420°E at an elevation of 75 feet above sea level approximately 11.5 kilometers southeast of Pohang city center. This strategically important airfield, originally designated K-3 by the United States Air Force during the Korean War era, serves as both a significant military installation hosting U.S. Navy MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopters from Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14 (HM-14) and a regional commercial airport providing essential connectivity for the southeastern Korean peninsula. The facility underwent major infrastructure improvements and runway reconstruction completed in 2016, following a two-year closure that modernized operations to support both military missions and growing civilian aviation demands in the economically vital Gyeongsang region. The airport operates through robust infrastructure featuring a single concrete runway designated 10/28, measuring 2,134 meters (7,000 feet) in length by 46 meters (150 feet) in width, equipped with modern lighting systems and precision approach capabilities suitable for various military and civilian aircraft operations. The runway's substantial length accommodates everything from small general aviation aircraft to large military transports and commercial jets, though civilian operations currently focus on domestic routes operated by Jin Air connecting to Seoul's Gimpo Airport and Jeju Island. Military operations share the same runway infrastructure, requiring careful coordination between civilian air traffic control and military aviation authorities to ensure safe and efficient operations throughout the day, with strict security protocols governing all aspects of airport access and photography restrictions due to the sensitive nature of military assets stationed at the facility. Terminal facilities reflect the airport's dual civilian-military nature, featuring a modern passenger terminal opened in 2002 with an annual design capacity of approximately 100,000 flights and 3.85 million passengers, though actual traffic remains significantly lower at around 250,000 annual passengers as of recent years. The compact terminal building provides essential amenities including check-in counters for Jin Air and other occasional carriers, security screening areas, comfortable waiting lounges, basic retail outlets, and food service options appropriate for the relatively modest passenger volumes. The terminal maintains separate processing areas for civilian passengers while accommodating military personnel when required, with strict access controls and security measures reflecting the facility's sensitive military operations, including permanent prohibitions on photography or videography of runway, apron, and military facility areas. The airport's strategic importance extends beyond routine passenger services to encompass critical military missions supporting U.S. Seventh Fleet operations in the Pacific region, with the permanently stationed Navy helicopter detachment providing anti-mine countermeasures and heavy-lift capabilities for regional defense operations. Commercial aviation development faces challenges from the airport's shared military use, limited route network, and competition from high-speed rail connections between Seoul and the southeastern region, resulting in modest passenger growth despite the modern facilities and strategic location serving both Pohang's steel industry center and Gyeongju's historic tourism attractions. Ground transportation to both cities includes airport limousine buses, taxis, and rental car services, with journey times of approximately 20 minutes to central Pohang and 45 minutes to Gyeongju, making this facility an important but specialized gateway for visitors to southeastern Korea's industrial and cultural destinations.