Lakatamia Air Force Base
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| Lakatamia Air Force Base | |||||||||
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Αεροπορική Βάση Λακατάμιας | |||||||||
| Lakatamia, South of Nicosia, Cyprus in Cyprus | |||||||||
  Lakatamia AFB Location of Lakatamia Air Force Base in Cyprus | |||||||||
| Coordinates | 35°05′42″N 33°18′58″E / 35.095°N 33.316°E | ||||||||
| Type | Reserve airbase | ||||||||
| Site information | |||||||||
| Owner | Republic of Cyprus | ||||||||
| Operator | Cyprus National Guard Air Wing | ||||||||
| Controlled by | 420 MPA (Air Base Protection Squadron) | ||||||||
| Condition | Active (reserve status) | ||||||||
| Website | [N/A] | ||||||||
| Site history | |||||||||
| Built | 1941 | ||||||||
| In use | 1941–present | ||||||||
| Battles/wars | World War II, Post-1974 conflicts | ||||||||
| Events | 2024 Gaza conflict threats | ||||||||
| Garrison information | |||||||||
| Garrison | 420 MPA, National Guard detachments | ||||||||
| Airfield information | |||||||||
| Identifiers | ICAO: LCRO | ||||||||
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Lakatamia Air Force Base (ICAO: LCRO) is a military airport serving as the headquarters of the Cypriot Air Force. It is located in Lakatamia, South of Nicosia, Cyprus.
History
[edit]In 1941, the military airport begun as Royal Air Force Station Lakatamia, in use by elements of the No. 451 Squadron RAAF. The base operated two asphalt runways, and was used by the British Army Air Corps after World War II. In 1950, following the independence of Cyprus, the British withdrew from the base and relocated to the Sovereign Base Area. Under Cyprus control, the airfield mainly remained disused as Cypriot armed forces operated at the nearby Nicosia airport. Following the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, Cypriot armed forces reactivated Lakatamia AFB as Nicosia was occupied by Turkish forces, mainly serving as a helicopter base.[1]
In 2010, the 449th Air Operations Squadron suspended operations at Lakatamia Air Force Base, its 4 anti-tank SA-34L1 Gazelle helicopters were later incorporated with the 450th Squadron.[2] The airfield could also be used by small winged aircraft up until 2013, when the remaining runways were demolished for redevelopment. The 449 MAE Helicopter Squadron was disbanded along with the closure of the air base.[1] In June 2024, following the Gaza conflict, Lakatamia AFB was listed as one of Hezbollah’s potential attack targets, as a threat for Israel to stop operating in Cyprus's bases.[3]
Currently, Lakatamia is operated by the 420 MPA (Air Base Protection Squadron), and also by the Cyprus National Guard Air Wing. Lakatamia is currently a reserve air base, and serves as a staging-post for helicopters.[4]
Units
[edit]The following lists RAF usage and Cypriot usage of Lakatamia AFB.
- Elements of the No. 451 Squadron RAAF
- No. 227 Squadron RAF, equipped with Bristol Beaufighter Mark XI, between 1940 and 1943[1]
Post-RAF Usage
- 449th Air Operations Squadron until 2010, and then until 2013[2]
- No. 420 MPA (Air Base Protection Squadron)[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Forgotten Airfields: Lakatamia". Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Cyprus Air Force". Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ "Israeli Media Report 4 locations for potential hezbollah attack in Cyprus". Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Dutch Aviation Society, Brief history of Cyprus". Retrieved 22 November 2024.