Shek Kong Airfield


 * "RAF Sek Kong" and "Sek Kong Airbase" redirect here.

The Shek Kong Airfield, ICAO: VHSK), formerly RAF Sek Kong/Sek Kong Airfield, is an airbase located in Shek Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong.

Currently, the airbase houses units of People's Liberation Army Air Force as well as being open for civilian use during weekends.

The closest MTR station is Kam Sheung Road.

History
Before the British handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997, the airbase was used by the British Forces Overseas Hong Kong, and was then an Royal Air Force station known as RAF Sek Kong. Construction of the airbase started in 1938, and was completed only in 1950 due to the delay caused by Japanese occupation during the World War 2.

From the late 1980s to 1992, RAF Sek Kong was also a Vietnamese Refugee Detention Centre.

During weekends, the general public are allowed to use the airport for operation of private airplanes and to conduct private flight training.

The RAF operated a small and limited force from 1950 to 1996, but they were temporary assignments from the UK. The Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force was the only permanent air force unit in Hong Kong.

A partial list of RAF squadrons stations before 1997:


 * No. 80 Squadron RAF: 3 January – 1 February 1950, 7 March – 28 April 1950
 * No. 28 Squadron RAF: 1 May – 7 October 1950, 28 March 1951 – 15 August 1955, 5 December 1955 – 14 June 1957, 17 May 1978 – 1 November 1996
 * Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force 1979–1993

A list of RAF aircraft stationed at Sek Kong:

With a Vietnamese refuge camp using the runway from 1982 to 1992, the base hosted rotary aircraft only after 1982.

British Army
The British Army also operated a small air unit in Hong Kong for training and other operations:


 * Army Air Corps No. 660 Squadron—Westland Scout

Refugee camp 1982–1993
After 1988, the base was also a refugee centre for Vietnamese boat people arriving in Hong Kong. At the peak in 1992, the centre hosted 9000 refugees. During the time as a refugee centre, half the runway was closed and used for temporary housing (mainly tents). As a result, only rotary aircraft operated from the base. The refugee centre closed in 1993 and the runway was restored for use by fixed wing aircraft.

PLAAF base 1997–present
The PLAAF has a small presence in Hong Kong since 1997. There is only one PLA unit stationed in Sek Kong:


 * PLAAF Helicopter Regiment 39968
 * Hong Kong Special Aviation Unit—transport

The PLA ground and naval forces also use Sek Kong, mainly for training and Opening Day use.

With the PLAAF operating helicopters, the runway is mostly used for civilian fixed wing aircraft. There are four "H" marked along the runway for the Z-9 to land and avoided the need to create helipads at the base.