Colonial era Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport was originally built by the
Dutch colonial government between 1937 and 1940 as a military airbase for the
Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force (ML-KNIL). It was developed alongside other key airfields in
Java, including Maospati Airfield (now
Iswahyudi Air Base) in
Magetan, Panasan Airfield (now
Adisumarmo International Airport) in
Solo, and Maguwo Airfield (now
Adisutjipto Airport) in
Yogyakarta. At the time, the airport was known as Singosari Airfield, named after the nearby town of
Singosari, located about 4 miles to the northwest. Strategically located at the foot of the mountain, the airfield benefits from natural fortifications that make it less visible from the air. Fog frequently obscures the area, making it difficult for enemy aircraft to detect the airbase when passing overhead. Recognizing its defensive advantages, the Dutch established an air defense zone in the area. To support military operations, the Dutch government constructed a long runway capable of accommodating large military aircraft. The unit comprised one
afdeling (division) operating twelve
Martin B-10 bombers with three reserve aircraft, as well as a
patrouille (patrol unit) equipped with three additional Martin B-10s and one reserve aircraft. The patrol unit was mobilized at
Kalijati Airfield from flight school personnel on 10 December 1941 and placed under the command of the
Netherlands Naval Aviation Service (MLD). When the Japanese launched their
invasion of the Dutch East Indies, the airfield became a joint Allied base, with aircraft of the
United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) operating from it in support of Dutch forces. Following
Japan's surrender in 1945, the base was taken over by the
Tentara Keamanan Rakyat (People's Security Army), the predecessor of the
Indonesian National Armed Forces, along with some remaining Japanese aircraft. However, many of the aircraft were destroyed on the ground during Dutch raids on the airbase during the
Indonesian National Revolution. Some of the surviving aircraft participated in a raid against Dutch positions in
Ambarawa,
Central Java, on 29 July 1947.
Post-independence era After the Dutch withdrawal from Indonesia in 1950, the airbase was officially transferred to the
Indonesian Air Force. In 1952, the airbase was officially renamed Abdul Rachman Saleh Air Force Base, in honor of
Abdul Rachman Saleh, a national hero from the revolution and one of the pioneers of the Indonesian Air Force. For the following years, the airbase was exclusively used for military flights. It was not until 1994 that the airport began operating commercial flights. == Facilities and development ==