Šepurine Military Barracks
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| Šepurine Military Barracks | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vojarna Šepurine i Aerodrom | |||||||
| Zaton, Zadar County in Croatia | |||||||
  Šepurine Military Barracks Location of Šepurine Military Barracks in Croatia | |||||||
| Coordinates | 44°12′40″N 15°10′12″E / 44.211°N 15.170°E | ||||||
| Type | Military barracks and airfield | ||||||
| Area | 1,000,000 square meters | ||||||
| Site information | |||||||
| Owner | Ministry of Defence (Croatia) | ||||||
| Operator | Croatian Army (1991–2008) | ||||||
| Controlled by | Yugoslav People's Army (until 1991) Croatian National Guard (1991) Croatian Army (1991–2008) | ||||||
| Open to the public | No | ||||||
| Condition | Abandoned | ||||||
| Site history | |||||||
| Built | 1995 | ||||||
| Built for | Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) | ||||||
| In use | 1995–2008 | ||||||
| Materials | Concrete, steel | ||||||
| Fate | Abandoned in 2008, proposed for redevelopment | ||||||
| Battles/wars | Battle of the Barracks | ||||||
| Events | Croatian War of Independence | ||||||
| Garrison information | |||||||
| Past commanders | Milan Gligorič (JNA) | ||||||
| Garrison | 550 soldiers (as of 1991) | ||||||
| Airfield information | |||||||
| Identifiers | ICAO: LD57 | ||||||
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Šepurine Military Barracks (ICAO: LD57) is a former military base and airfield located in Zaton, Zadar County, Croatia.
History
[edit]In 1995, the Yugoslav National Army constructed a 1160 meter long airstrip as an anti-aircraft training base. The 271st Light Missile-Artillery Regiment and the 67th Self-Propelled Missile Regiment was stationed at the military base. However, in August, the base was occupied by Croatian and the United States Armed Forces during the planning of Operation Storm.[1][2]
Croatian War
[edit]During the Croatian War of Independence, approximately 550 soldiers were stationed at the Šepurine barracks. The Croatian forces were interested to acquire control of the military base, but lacked sufficient strength for a direct takeover. Initial attempts to negotiate the barracks’ handover with its commander, Milan Gligorič, failed, leading to a blockade by the Croatian National Guard (ZNG) and police. Capturing the barracks was important, as its anti-aircraft weaponry would have hindered the Yugoslav People's Army's (JNA) ability to conduct air operations in the Dalmatia region. Many former soldiers from the Šepurine anti-aircraft missile regiment later joined the ZNG.[3][1]
In early October 1991, two artillery regiments from the JNA stationed in Šepurine managed to pass through the blockade and later joined JNA's efforts to seize control of Zadar. After the acquisition, the military base became a center of education for special forces.[1]
Closure and Redevelopment
[edit]In 2008, the Ministry of Defense abandoned the airfield and transferred ownership to the State Office for the Management of State Assets (DUUDI). Since its closure, the military base experienced heavy looting, destruction and vandalism. According to a county spatial plan, the former military airport was to be converted into a recreational sports airport, however it was not allowed. The agency in ownership (DUUDI) experienced criticism for the treatment of the military base. Today, the runway is used by Croat Bell OH-58D Kiowa helicopters for occasional training.[3][4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Sepurine Barracks". Armed Conflicts. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ "Shadows and Graffiti of Sepurine Military Base". Secret Croatia Blog. 23 July 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Gospodine DUDI, koga bi od srama doveli u ovakve Šepurine?". 057info.hr. 23 September 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ "Airfield Zadar - Zaton". Forgotten Airfields. Retrieved 20 October 2024.