On 2 July 1950, the 19th Bombardment Group launched a strike on Yonpo Airfield based on faulty intelligence there were 65 Korean People's Air Force (KPAF) aircraft there, but only 16 KPAF aircraft were in the field, none of which were damaged by the airstrike.

[1]: 99 The Yonpo area was captured by the 5th and 7th Marine Regiments advancing from Wonsan on 30 October 1950[2] and the airfield was put into service by the UN forces.

[3] The 35th Fighter-Interceptor Group[4] moved to the base on 18 November and was joined by the Marine Aircraft Group 12[2]: 283–4  on 1 December, both provided close air support to the U. S. Army X Corps and the 1st U.S. Marine Division surrounded at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.

[2]: 286 USAF units based there included: USMC units based there included: UN units based there included: Following the successful retreat from the Chosin Reservoir, US Marines of Regimental Combat Teams 5 and 7 prepared a defensive line around Yonpo on 9 December, however General Douglas MacArthur ordered the withdrawal of X Corps to South Korea.

[2]: 320  MacArthur met with General Edward Almond at Yonpo on 11 December and approved the X Corps' evacuation plan.