Ghardabiya Airbase

Ghardabiya Airbase is a dual-function airbase for the Libyan Air Force 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) south of the Mediterranean coastal city of Sirte.[4] It also incorporates an airport for civilian use.[5]

Ghardabiya Airbase

Sirte Airport
United States Department of Defense reconnaissance photo of hangars at Ghardabiya
Summary
Airport typeMilitary/Public
ServesSirte, Libya
Elevation AMSL270 ft / 82 m
Coordinates31°03′38″N 16°36′42″E
Map
SRX
Location in Libya
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
31/13 3,600 11,811 Asphalt
18/36 3,600 11,811 Asphalt
Source: GCM[1] SkyVector[2] Google Maps[3]

All runways have 305 metres (1,001 ft) displaced thresholds.

The Sirte non-directional beacon (Ident: SRT) is located 7.8 nautical miles (14.4 km) north of the airport, in the city. The Sirte VOR-DME (Ident: SRT) is located on the field.[6][7]

Military use

It is the home base of 1124th Bomber Squadron and 1st Fighter-Bomber Squadron which operate the Su-22 aircraft.[8] 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 unknown if Tibesti Air Libya is using the airport.

AirlinesDestinations
Air LibyaTripoli
Libyan AirlinesTripoli

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.[9] The United States Navy also participated in the attack to deny the Libyan Air Force operational capability with the use of Tomahawk cruise missiles.[10][11]

Libyan Civil War (2014–present)

In May 2015, ISIL militants took control of the airport only weeks after seizing full control of nearby Sirte.[12] On 4 June 2016, Pro-Libyan government fighters stated that they had captured the airbase from ISIL.[13]

In January 2020, Libyan forces loyal to the eastern-based commander Khalifa Haftar said they had taken control of the strategic coastal city of Sirte, including al-Ghardabiya airbase.[14]

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See also

References
  1. Airport information for Ghardabiya Airbase at Great Circle Mapper.
  2. "Sirte/Ghardabya International". SkyVector. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  3. "Gardabya Airport". Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  4. http://www.defense.gov/news/DJS_Presser.pdf
  5. Dagher, Sam; Trofimov, Yaroslav; Hodge, Nathan (2011-03-21). "Allies Press Libya Attacks". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  6. "Sirte NDB". Our Airports. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  7. "Sirte VOR". Our Airports. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  8. Pike, John. "Air Order of Battle". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  9. Marcus, Jonathan (2011-03-21). "Who should command in Libya?". BBC News. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  10. "With Libyan Air Defense Neutralized, Coalition Air Forces Target Libyan Ground Forces | Defense Update - Military Technology & Defense News". Archived from the original on 2011-03-25. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
  11. "Libyan Navy Attacked by Fighter Jets - Updated". www.informationdissemination.net. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  12. "Islamic State militants in Libya 'seize Sirte airport'". bbc.com. BBC News. Retrieved 2015-05-29.
  13. Editorial, Reuters. "Libyan brigades capture air base from Islamic State south of Sirte:..." U.S. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  14. "Libyan general Khalifa Haftar's forces seize key city of Sirte". theguardian.com. The Guardian. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
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