Gweru-Thornhill Air Base

Gweru-Thornhill Air Base (IATA: GWE, ICAO: FVTL) is one of the two main air bases of the Air Force of Zimbabwe located near the central city of Gweru,[4]

Gweru-Thornhill Air Base
Summary
Airport typeMilitary
Elevation AMSL4,680 ft / 1,426 m
Coordinates19°26′11″S 29°51′43″E
Map
GWE
Location of the airport in Zimbabwe
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
13R/31L 2,385 7,826 Asphalt
13L/31R 2,672 8,766 Asphalt
Sources: World Aero Data[1] GCM[2] Google Maps[3]

Thornhill Air Base is home to air force fighter squadrons and the Pilot Training School. According to Janes Defence Weekly of 6 September 2006 a US$41.5m simulation center was being established. A full range of amenities and services, which include workshops, transport fleets, equipment depots, and accommodation, sporting and entertainment facilities, support the base. The Gweru Thornhill VOR-DME (Ident: VTL) and non-directional beacons (Idents: TL and TI) are located on the field.[5][6]

It is home to these squadrons:

  • No. 2 Squadron (Cobra) - for advanced jet training and close air support. Operates 12 K-8s.
  • No. 4 Squadron (Hornet) - equipped with Cessna FTB337G and O-2A
  • No. 5 Squadron (Arrow) - interceptor/fighter role with Chengdu F-7 II/IIN and Guizhou FT-7BZ.
  • No. 6 Squadron (Tiger) - with SF-260M, SF-260TP and SF-260W

See also

References
  1. Airport information for FVTL at World Aero Data. Data current as of October 2006.
  2. Airport information for FVTL at Great Circle Mapper.
  3. Google Maps - Gweru-Thornhill A.B.
  4. McCrea, Barbara; Tony Pinchuck (2000). The Rough Guide to Zimbabwe. Rough Guides. p. 106. ISBN 1-85828-532-1.
  5. "Gweru Thornhill NDB (TL) @ OurAirports". ourairports.com. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  6. "Gweru Thornhill VOR-DME (VTL) @ OurAirports". ourairports.com. Retrieved 3 September 2018.



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