Bastia – Poretta Airport

Bastia – Poretta Airport or Aéroport de Bastia - Poretta (IATA: BIA, ICAO: LFKB) is an airport serving Bastia on the island of Corsica. It is located 17 km (11 mi) south southeast of Bastia in Lucciana,^[1] both communes of the Haute-Corse département in France.

Airlines and destinations

World War II

During World War II, the airport was used by the United States Army Air Force Twelfth Air Force in 1944. The 42d Bombardment Wing was headquartered at the airfield between 21 September-24 November 1944. Combat units assigned were:

• 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, (3d Reconnaissance Group), 11 Juy-24 September 1944, P-38/F-5 Lightning
• 23d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, (3d Reconnaissance Group), 11 Juy-24 September 1944, P-38/F-5 Lightning
• 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, (XII Tactical Air Command), 21 July-27 August 1944, P-51/F-6 Mustang
• 414th Night Fighter Squadron, (Twelfth Air Force), 5 February-July 1944; 5 September-13 October 1944, Bristol Beaufighter
• 416th Night Fighter Squadron, (Twelfth Air Force), 14–23 August 1944, P-61 Black Widow
• 417th Night Fighter Squadron, (Twelfth Air Force), February-April 1944; 25 April-7 September 1944, Bristol Beaufighter^[2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} LFKB – BASTIA PORETTA (PDF). AIP from French Service d'information aéronautique, effective 9 Feb 2012.
2. ^  This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
   • Maurer, Maurer. Air Force Combat Units of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1983. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.
   • Mauer, Mauer (1969), Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II, Air Force Historical Studies Office, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. ISBN 0-89201-097-5

External links

• Bastia Airport (official site) (English)
• Aéroport de Bastia-Poretta at Union des Aéroports Français (French)
• Current weather for LFKB at NOAA/NWS
• Accident history for BIA at Aviation Safety Network