Lod Airbase Explained

Lod Israeli Air Force Base
Air Force Base 27
Ensign:Bacha_27_lod.png
Ensign Size:100px
Location:Lod, Central District
Country:Israel
Type:Airbase
Pushpin Map:Israel
Pushpin Map Caption:Shown within Israel
Pushpin Label:Lod AB
Ownership:Israel Defense Forces
Operator:Israeli Air Force
Used:1938-48 RAF Use
1948 -
Iata:TLV
Icao:LLBG
R1-Number:03/21
R1-Surface:Asphalt
R2-Number:08/26
R2-Surface:Asphalt
R3-Number:12/30
R3-Surface:Asphalt

Lod Air Force Base, also Air Force Base 27, was an Israeli Air Force airfield that was part of the Ben Gurion International Airport, located approximately 70NaN0 north of Lod; 80NaN0 east-southeast of Tel Aviv.

From 1938 to 1948 it was known as RAF Station Lydda while under British Royal Air Force control.[1]

History

The Lydda Airport, built in 1934,[2] was used by the Allies during the Second World War becoming RAF Lydda on 1 March 1943. After the Israeli declaration of independence, it became an IAF airfield and the only international airport in the new state of Israel. The airfield military base officially closed down on 2 August 2008, after its last units moved to Nevatim. On the same airfield the Ben Gurion International Airport is still operating as the main airport of Israel.

RAF Operational units

Between July and November, 1942, the US Army, Middle East Air Force - USAMEAF operated Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and Consolidated B-24 Liberator aircraft from RAF Lydda. These aircraft were reassigned to Egypt in November.

See also

References

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Stations-L.
  2. Web site: Chapter 1 – from Flying Camels to Flying Stars: Israel Reborn (1917-1948) | Israel Airline Museum.