[2][3] The Xi'an Xiguan Airfield was built in 1924 under the directives of Zhang Xueliang of the Fengtian Army, and as the Chinese warlord battles raged, Feng Yuxiang and Yan Xishan sought to subjugate the Nationalist government of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek; the Young Marshall however sided with the Nationalists, and the Nationalist Chinese Air Force units began their stationing at Xi'an Xiguan Airfield, specifically the 6th Reconnaissance-Attack/Scout-Attack Group composed of O2U-1 light-attack/scout-bombers in 1929–30, which were deployed in the Central Plains War.

[citation needed] During the War of Resistance-World War II,[4] the airport was known as Hsian Airfield and was used by the United States Army Air Forces Fourteenth Air Force as part of the China Defensive Campaign (1942–1945).

The Americans used the airport primarily as a photo-reconnaissance airfield, with unarmed P-38 Lightnings, equipped with aerial cameras flew over Japanese-held territory providing intelligence to the Chinese ground forces.

In addition, P-61 Black Widow night interceptor aircraft flew from the airport, providing defense against night bombing raids by the Japanese, along with P-47 Thunderbolts day fighters and C-47 Skytrain transports flying in supplies and ammunition to support friendly forces in the area.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency