The base remained abandoned for over a decade until the runway was rebuilt on 1 December 1957 and the base re-opened as a training facility housing the 3rd Pilot School Nyūtabaru branch of the Japan Air Self-Defence Force, equipped with Lockheed T-33 jet trainers.

On 26 July 1971 an F-104 from Nyūtabaru overran the runway on takeoff and rashed into a hillside, causing a huge fire.

On 11 April 1973 a Mitsubishi MU-2 attached to the base crashed during training, killing four crew members.

On 20 October 2018, the government announced a plan to develop ammunition depots and parking areas for the US military at Nyūtabaru.

On 26 July 2023 French Air and Space Force Dassault Rafale visited Nyūtabaru as part of France's overseas deployment training "Mission Pégase".

This was the first time that French Air Force fighter jets have visited Japan since World War II.

In July 2021, Japan’s Defense Minister, Nobuo Kishi, announced that the base will host the F-35Bs of the JASDF.