travel - A civilian airport with military characteristics

A strange sound I noticed yesterday at the Shantou airport, as I was waiting for my return flight to Shanghai. A roaring engine, that did not sound like a civilian airplane. Moments later I saw about six fighter jets landing on the runway, I would use half an hour later to take off. Parachutes were used to reduce their speed while landing. Later the fighter jets passed the waiting hall and parked in front of a building next to it. I cannot remember I have seen this combined used of a civil airport being used by fighter planes before.