Type Air Force Base Identifiers ICAO: LAKV Elevation 41 m Owner Ministry of Defence | Operator Albanian Air Force Address Albania Year built 1952 | |
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In use May 15, 1955 (1955-05-15) Events Albanian Unrest of 1997 14/32 2,853 meters (9,360 ft) Concrete Event Albanian rebellion of 1997 | ||
Ku ov air base
Kuçovë Air Base (ICAO: LAKV) is a military airport located near Kuçovë, Berat, Albania.
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History
Construction of the air base began in 1952 and was completed in 1955.
During the 1997 crisis, Kuçovë Air Base was captured by rebels. The damage caused by the protesters was not repaired until 1999.
From 2002 to 2004 the base was renovated to NATO standards. Improvements included a new control tower, new lighting, and repaving.
In 2004, Albania announced plans to scrap 80 obsolete aircraft in an effort to modernize for NATO membership. The aircraft being scrapped included MiG-15s, MiG-19s, and Yakovlev trainers as well as Shenyang J-5s and J-6s, Chinese-made MiG fighters. The aircraft were stored in Kuçovë during this process. Recently, many of these retired craft have been auctioned by the government of Albania.
In 2011, the base served as a filming location for the third episode of Top Gear's sixth series. The episode was seen as offensive to many due to derogatory comments made about Albanians by the cast.