Vrazhdebna Air Base : History, Units Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Vrazhdebna Air Base

42°41′43″N 23°26′23″E / 42.69528°N 23.43972°E / 42.69528; 23.43972TypeMilitary Air BaseSite informationOwnerSofia AirportOperatorBulgarian Air ForceControlled byBulgarian Air ForceSite historyBuilt1937In use1994–presentGarrison informationOccupants16th Transport SquadronAirfield informationIdentifiersIATA: SOF, ICAO: LBSFElevation532 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, romanized: Aviobaza 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

"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

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.