[5][6] The 868th Tactical Missile Squadron was stationed here from 1958 to 1962, which operated MGM-1 Matadors, probably under the ultimate control of the United States Taiwan Defense Command.

On 13 May 1966 – 21 July 1966, the VMFA-314 and VMFA-323 of the US Marine Corps Fighter/Attack Squadrons in MCAS Iwakuni, Japan were Temporary duty assignment (TDY) to Tainan Air Base.

Air Asia Corporation, headquartered at this airport, prospered during the Vietnam War due to the need for aircraft maintenance by the United States Armed Forces.

Its competitor, TransAsia Airways, also had to downgrade the aircraft it used from a jet (Airbus A320) to a turboprop (ATR 72) to maintain revenue, and finally decided to end service to the airport as of 1 August 2008.

[citation needed] Because of the shared use with the Air Force, the airport terminal was built quite a distance away from the airfield.

[citation needed] In January 2011, the Civil Aeronautics Administration approved the airport to handle international flights.

The first scheduled International flights began on 18 July 2013 to Hong Kong, with a 3 times weekly service by China Airlines using Boeing 737-800s.

[citation needed] Republic of China Air Force Media related to Tainan Airport at Wikimedia Commons