Ghardabiya Airbase
Ghardabiya Airbase Gardabya Airport | |||||||||||||||
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United States Department of Defense reconnaissance photo of hangars at Ghardabiya | |||||||||||||||
Summary | |||||||||||||||
Airport type | Military/Public | ||||||||||||||
Owner | Libya | ||||||||||||||
Location | Sirte | ||||||||||||||
Elevation AMSL | 266 ft / 81 m | ||||||||||||||
Coordinates | 31°03′38″N 16°36′42″E / 31.06056°N 16.61167°ECoordinates: 31°03′38″N 16°36′42″E / 31.06056°N 16.61167°E | ||||||||||||||
Map | |||||||||||||||
Ghardabiya Airbase Location in Libya | |||||||||||||||
Runways | |||||||||||||||
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Ghardabiya Airbase is a dual-function airbase for the Libyan Air Force south of the city of Sirte.[2] It also incorporates an airport for civilian use.[3] It was captured by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in May 2015, and was reportedly captured by pro-government forces in June 2016.
Military use
It is the home base of 1124 Bomber Squadron and 1st Fighter-Bomber Squadron which operate the Su-22 aircraft.[4] The base also operates the Aero L-39 Albatross for counterinsurgency missions.
Civilian use
Due to the Libyan Civil War (2011) all flights were suspended; however, since the end of the conflict, Libyan Airlines have resumed service. It is currently unknown if Tibesti Air Libya is using the airport.
Airlines | Destinations |
---|---|
Air Libya Tibesti | Tripoli |
Libyan Airlines | Tripoli |
Tunisair | Tunis[5] |
Libyan Civil War (2011)
It was targeted by United States Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bombers equipped with precision-guided munitions (PGMs) during the Libyan Civil War (2011) on 20 and 21 March 2011.[6] The United States Navy also participated in the attack to deny the Libyan Air Force operational capability with the use of Tomahawk cruise missiles.[7][8]
In May 2015, ISIL militants took control of the airport, after seizing full control of nearby Sirte, only weeks before.[9] On 4 June 2016, Pro-Libyan government fighters stated that they had captured the airbase from ISIL.[10]
References
- ↑ http://www.gcmap.com/airport/SRX
- ↑ http://www.defense.gov/news/DJS_Presser.pdf
- ↑ Allies Press Libya Attacks - WSJ.com
- ↑ Air Order of Battle
- ↑ International flights to operate out of Sirte airport
- ↑ BBC News - Libya military operation: Who should command?
- ↑ With Libyan Air Defense Neutralized, Coalition Air Forces Target Libyan Ground Forces | Defense Update - Military Technology & Defense News
- ↑ Information Dissemination: Libyan Navy Attacked by Fighter Jets - Updated
- ↑ "Islamic State militants in Libya 'seize Sirte airport'". bbc.com. BBC News. Retrieved 2015-05-29.
- ↑ https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN0YQ0TA
External links
- Accident history for SRX at Aviation Safety Network
- Airport information for HLGD at World Aero Data. Data current as of October 2006.