Podgorica Airbase

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Golubovci Airbase Аеродром Голубовци/Aerodrom Golubovci
IATA: ? - ICAO: LYPJ
Summary
Airport type		Military
Operator		Military of Montenegro
Serves		Podgorica
Elevation AMSL		ft (36 m)
Coordinates		42°20′N, 19°15′E
Runways
Direction	Length		Surface
Direction	ft	m	Surface
18/36	8,202	2,500	Asphalt
08/26	7,145	2,178	Asphalt

The Podgorica Airbase (also known as Golubovci Airbase) is an active airbase in Montenegro. The airbase facilities are shared with Montenegro's main international airport, Podgorica Airport. It was the home to the 172nd Aviation Brigade of Yugoslav Air Force and its main flying training base for primary and basic pilot training.

[edit] Overview

Podgorica Airbase shares the main runway with nearby Podgorica Airport, and has a large ramp attached to the taxiway, used excusively for military aircraft.

Part of the military complex was also 08/26 runway, which was not used by civilian planes. It is connected to the main 18/36 runway by 3 km long taxiway, and is located adjecent to Šipčanik Hill, near the town of Tuzi. The hill doubled as an underground aircraft shelter.

Airbase facilities were frequent target of 1999 NATO bombing. Fuel tanks and the aircraft ramps were extensively targeted, as well as parked aircraft. All of the Leteće zvezde Yugoslav aerobatic team G-4 Super Galebs were destroyed on the airbase premisis during the strikes. Šipčanik undergroun shelter was also targeted on several occasions, and was since unused as an aircraft shelter. It has been converted into a wine cave by the Plantaže company. The entire Šipčanik compound, tightly guarded by the JNA during Yugoslav era, is now of civilian use, and even first 800m of 08/26 runway adjecent to the Šipčanik hill is accessible by car.

With Montenegro's independence on June 3, 2006, the newly formed Military of Montenegro announced that it will not maintain a combat air force. Currently, 9 G-4 Super Galebs have Podgorica Airbase as their home base, and it is not known whether any of the planes will be retained.