Airport type Military Location Sofia, Bulgaria In use 1994–present Founded 1994 | Owner Sofia Airport EAD Built 1937 Elevation 532 m Operator Bulgarian Air Force | |
Occupants 16th Transport Squadron | ||
Vrazhdebna Air Base (Bulgarian: Авиобаза Враждебна) or 16th Transport Air Base is a military air base, located on the site of Sofia Airport. The air base functions as a hub for the 16th Transport Squadron of the BAF.
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History
"Vrazhdebna" is the original name for Sofia Airport, used since its establishment in 1937. The name is derived from the nearby village of Vrazhdebna (now a suburb of Sofia) and is literally translated as hostile.
Although various military transportation units, including 28th Air Detachment, have been based at the airport since the late 1940s, it was not until 1994 when a separate military base (16th Transport Air Base) was established. Both Sofia Airport and 16th TAB carry the official name "Vrazhdebna".
Units
Until 1950 it was the hub for the 14th Air Transport Regiment, which included mostly German aircraft (Junkers Ju 52, Junkers A 35). After 1950 it was renamed to 16th Transport Squadron and was equipped with Lisunov Li-2 transport aircraft.
On some occasions Vrazhdebna Air Base also houses 28th Air Detachment aircraft, which is not officially a unit of the BAF.