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Vrazhdebna Air Base

Coordinates: 42°41′43″N 23°26′23″E / 42.69528°N 23.43972°E / 42.69528; 23.43972
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Vrazhdebna Air Base
Авиобаза Враждебна
Sofia, Bulgaria
Emblem of the Vrazhdebna Air Base
Vrazhdebna Air Base is located in Bulgaria
Vrazhdebna Air Base
Vrazhdebna Air Base
Location within Bulgaria
Coordinates42°41′43″N 23°26′23″E / 42.69528°N 23.43972°E / 42.69528; 23.43972
TypeMilitary Air Base
Site information
OwnerSofia Airport
OperatorBulgarian Air Force
Controlled byBulgarian Air Force
Site history
Built1937
In use1994–present
Garrison information
Occupants16th Transport Squadron
Airfield information
IdentifiersIATA: SOF, ICAO: LBSF
Elevation532 metres (1,745 ft) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
09/27 3,600 metres (11,800 ft) Asphalt
Source: Sofia International Airport (Vrazhdebna)[1]

Vrazhdebna Air Base (Bulgarian: Авиобаза Враждебна, romanizedAviobaza Vraždebna) 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

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

Units

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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 civilian Aviation Detachment 28 aircraft, which carry senior members of the Bulgarian government.

See also

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References

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