Ghardabiya Airbase Explained

Ghardabiya Airbase
Nativename:Sirte Airport
Type:Military/Public
City-Served:Sirte, Libya
Iata:SRX
Icao:HLGD
Elevation-F:270
Pushpin Map:Libya
Pushpin Label:SRX
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Libya
Metric-Rwy:y
R1-Number:31/13
R1-Length-M:3600
R1-Surface:Asphalt
R2-Number:18/36
R2-Length-M:3600
R2-Surface:Asphalt
Footnotes:Source: GCM SkyVector[1] Google Maps[2]

Ghardabiya Airbase is a dual-function airbase for the Libyan Air Force south of the Mediterranean coastal city of Sirte.[3] It also incorporates an airport for civilian use.[4]

All runways have displaced thresholds.

The Sirte non-directional beacon (Ident: SRT) is located 7.8nmi north of the airport, in the city. The Sirte VOR-DME (Ident: SRT) is located on the field.[5] [6]

Military use

It is the home base of 1124th Bomber Squadron and 1st Fighter-Bomber Squadron which operate the Su-22 aircraft.[7] The base also operates the Aero L-39 Albatros for counterinsurgency missions.

During the first Gulf of Sidra Incident, two Libyan Su-22s took off from this airbase and attacked two U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcats.

Civilian use

Due to the First Libyan Civil War of 2011 all flights were suspended; however, since the end of the conflict, Libyan Airlines have resumed service. It is unknown if Air Libya has resumed services as well.

First Libyan Civil War (2011)

It was targeted by United States Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bombers equipped with precision-guided munitions (PGMs) during the First Libyan Civil War on 20 and 21 March 2011.[8] The United States Navy also participated in the attack to deny the Libyan Air Force operational capability with the use of Tomahawk cruise missiles.[9] [10]

Second Libyan Civil War (2014–2020)

In May 2015, during the Second Libyan Civil War, ISIL militants took control of the airport only weeks after seizing full control of nearby Sirte.[11] On 4 June 2016, Pro-Libyan government fighters stated that they had captured the airbase from ISIL.[12]

In January 2020, Libyan forces loyal to the eastern-based commander Khalifa Haftar said they had taken control of the strategic coastal city of Sirte, including al-Ghardabiya airbase.[13]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sirte/Ghardabya International . SkyVector . 17 September 2018.
  2. Web site: Gardabya Airport . Google Maps . 17 September 2018.
  3. Web site: Archived copy . 2011-03-23 . 2011-05-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110530185426/http://www.defense.gov/news/DJS_Presser.pdf . dead .
  4. News: Allies Press Libya Attacks. Dagher. Sam. 2011-03-21. Wall Street Journal. 2018-08-21. Trofimov. Yaroslav. en-US. 0099-9660. Hodge. Nathan.
  5. Web site: Sirte NDB . Our Airports . 17 September 2018.
  6. Web site: Sirte VOR . Our Airports . 17 September 2018.
  7. Web site: Air Order of Battle. Pike. John. www.globalsecurity.org. 2018-08-21.
  8. News: Who should command in Libya?. Marcus. Jonathan. 2011-03-21. BBC News. 2018-08-21. en-GB.
  9. Web site: With Libyan Air Defense Neutralized, Coalition Air Forces Target Libyan Ground Forces Defense Update - Military Technology & Defense News . 2011-03-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110325061526/http://defense-update.com/wp/20110322_air_strikes.html . 2011-03-25 . dead .
  10. Web site: Libyan Navy Attacked by Fighter Jets - Updated. www.informationdissemination.net. en. 2018-08-21.
  11. Web site: Islamic State militants in Libya 'seize Sirte airport'. bbc.com. BBC News. 2015-05-29.
  12. News: Libyan brigades capture air base from Islamic State south of Sirte:.... U.S.. 2018-08-21. en-US.
  13. Web site: Libyan general Khalifa Haftar's forces seize key city of Sirte. The Guardian. 2020-01-07.

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