Vrazhdebna Air Base

Vrazhdebna Air Base Bulgarian Air Force
Aerial image - 27 October 2007
IATA: SOF – ICAO: LBSF
Summary
Airport type	Military
Owner	Sofia Airport EAD
Operator	Bulgarian Air Force
Location	Sofia, Bulgaria
Built	1937
In use	1994–present
Occupants	16th Transport Squadron
Elevation AMSL	1,745 ft / 532 m
Coordinates	42°41′43″N 23°26′23″E / 42.69528°N 23.43972°E / 42.69528; 23.43972Coordinates: 42°41′43″N 23°26′23″E / 42.69528°N 23.43972°E / 42.69528; 23.43972
Runways
Direction Length Surface ft m 09/27 11,811 3,600 Asphalt
Source: Sofia International Airport (Vrazhdebna)[1]

Vrazhdebna Air Base (Bulgarian: Авиобаза Враждебна) or 16th Transport Air Base is a military air base, located on the site of Sofia Airport. The air base functions as a hub for the 16th Transport Squadron of the BAF.

History

"Vrazhdebna" is the original name for Sofia Airport, used since its establishment in 1937. The name is derived from the nearby village of Vrazhdebna (now a suburb of Sofia) and is literally translated as hostile.

Although various military transportation units, including 28th Air Detachment, have been based at the airport since the late 1940s, it was not until 1994 when a separate military base (16th Transport Air Base) was established. Both Sofia Airport and 16th TAB carry the official name "Vrazhdebna".

Units

Until 1950 it was the hub for the 14th Air Transport Regiment, which included mostly German aircraft (Junkers Ju 52, Junkers A 35). After 1950 it was renamed to 16th Transport Squadron and was equipped with Lisunov Li-2 transport aircraft.

On some occasions Vrazhdebna Air Base also houses 28th Air Detachment aircraft, which is not officially a unit of the BAF.

See also

• Dobroslavtsi Air Base

References