Lakatamia Air Force Base

Lakatamia Air Force Base
Αεροπορική Βάση Λακατάμιας
Lakatamia, Nicosia in Cyprus
The Cyprus Air Force holds the annual open day on the 8 November. Among other helicopters, this example was on display in Lakatamia Air Base.
Site information
Type	Reserve airbase
Owner	Republic of Cyprus
Operator	Cyprus Air Command
Controlled by	420 MPA (Air Base Protection Squadron)
Condition	Active (reserve status)
Location
Lakatamia AFB Shown within Cyprus
Coordinates	35°05′42″N33°18′58″E / 35.095°N 33.316°E / 35.095; 33.316
Site history
Built	1941 (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
Runways Direction Length and surface 17/35 1,430 metres (4,692 ft) Asphalt 11/29 1,200 metres (3,937 ft) Asphalt
Helipads Number Length and surface 541 metres (1,775 ft)

Lakatamia Air Force Base (ICAO: LCRO) is a military airport serving as the headquarters of Cyprus Air Command. It is located in Lakatamia, Nicosia, Cyprus.

History

In 1941, the military airport begun as Royal Air Force Lakatamia, in use by elements of the No. 451 Squadron RAAF. The base operated two asphalt runways, and was used by the British Army's 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 of Akrotiri and Dhekelia. 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 (Anti-Tank Helicopter Squadron) were disbanded and suspended operations at Lakatamia Air Force Base, its 4 anti-tank Aérospatiale SA-342L1 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–Israel 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] Every November 8th, the Cyprus Air Force holds an opening day in honour of Archangel Michael, known as the Protector of the Air Force. At Lakatamia AFB, various helicopters would be open for display. ^[5]

Units

The following lists RAF usage and Cypriot usage of Lakatamia.

• Detachment from No. 46 Squadron RAF between May 1942 and January 1943 with the Bristol Beaufighter IF ^[6]
• Detachment from No. 127 Squadron RAF between March and July 1943 with the Supermarine Spitfire VC ^[7]
• Detachment from No. 154 (Motor Industries) Squadron RAF between December 1943 and February 1944 with the Spitfire XI ^[8]
• Detachment from No. 162 Squadron RAF between April and September 1944 with the Vickers Wellington X ^[9]
• Detachment from No. 203 Squadron RAF between June 1941 and January 1942 with the Bristol Blenheim IV ^[10]
• Detachment from No. 213 (Ceylon) Squadron RAF between February and May 1944 with the Spitfire IX ^[11]
• No. 227 Squadron RAF between 23 September and 31 November 1943 with the Beaufighter X & XI ^[12]
• Detachment from No. 232 Squadron RAF between December 1943 and February 1944 with the Spitfire VC ^[13]
• No. 252 Squadron RAF between 23 September and 16 December 1943 with the Beaufighter XI ^[14]
• Detachment from No. 294 Squadron RAF between September 1943 and March 1944 with the Wellington IC ^[15]
• Detachment from No. 451 Squadron RAAF between February 1942 and January 1943 with the Hawker Hurricane I ^[16]
• Detachment from No. 454 Squadron RAAF between August and November 1943 with the Martin Baltimore IV ^[17]
• Detachment from No. 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron AAF between June and December 1942 with the Spitfire VC ^[18]
• Detachment from No. 680 Squadron RAF between February and August 1943 with the Spitfire IX ^[19]
• No. 1565 Meteorological Flight RAF with the Hurricane IIC ^[20]
• No. 1908 Air Observation Post Flight RAF between 1955 and 1956 with the Auster AOP.6 ^[21]
• No. 1910 Air Observation Post Flight RAF between April and September 1956 with the Auster AOP.6 ^[21]
• No. 1915 Light Liaison Flight RAF between May and September 1956 with the Auster AOP.6 ^[22]
• No. 166 Maintenance Unit RAF between November 1943 and September 1945 ^[23]
• Satellite airfield of No. 79 OTU between October 1944 and July 1945 ^[24]
• No. 56 Refuelling & Re-Arming Party RAF during 1942 and 1944 ^[25]
• No. 58 Refuelling & Re-Arming Party RAF during December 1943 ^[25]
• No. 4 Repair & Salvage Unit during November 1942 ^[26]
• No. 237 Wing between September and December 1943 ^[27]

Post-RAF Usage

• 449th Air Operations Squadron until 2010, and then until 2013 ^[2]
• No. 420 MPA (Air Base Protection Squadron) ^[4]

References

Citations

1. "Forgotten Airfields: Lakatamia" . Retrieved 22 November 2024.
2. "Cyprus Air Force". 4 December 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
3. "Israeli Media Report 4 locations for potential hezbollah attack in Cyprus" . Retrieved 22 November 2024.
4. "Dutch Aviation Society, Brief history of Cyprus" . Retrieved 22 November 2024.
5. "Cyprus Air Force - Andreas Papandreou Air Base". 4 December 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
6. Jefford 1988, p. 40.
7. Jefford 1988, p. 59.
8. Jefford 1988, p. 63.
9. Jefford 1988, p. 64.
10. Jefford 1988, p. 68.
11. Jefford 1988, p. 71.
12. Jefford 1988, p. 73.
13. Jefford 1988, p. 75.
14. Jefford 1988, p. 78.
15. Jefford 1988, p. 84.
16. Jefford 1988, p. 92.
17. Jefford 1988, p. 93.
18. Jefford 1988, p. 98.
19. Jefford 1988, p. 105.
20. Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 127.
21. Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 130.
22. Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 131.
23. Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 182.
24. Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 205.
25. Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 218.
26. Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 220.
27. Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 299.

Bibliography

• Jefford, C. G. (1988). RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing. ISBN   1-85310-053-6.
• Sturtivant, Ray; Hamlin, John (2007). Royal Air Force flying training and support units since 1912. Tonbridge, UK: Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN   978-0851-3036-59.