Tymbaki Airfield

Tymbaki Airport ; Tymbaki Airport ; Αεροδρόμιο Τυμπάκι
Characteristics
ICAO code	LGTY
Coordinates	35 ° 3 '55 " N , 24 ° 46' 6" E Coordinates: 35 ° 3 '55 " N , 24 ° 46' 6" E
Height above MSL	7 m (23 ft )
Transport links
Distance from the city center	1 km south of Tymbaki
Street	National road 97
Local transport	bus
Basic data
operator	Greek Air Force
Runways
09/27	2713 m × 30 m asphalt
16/34	700 m × 30 m concrete

The tympaki airport (English Tymbaki Airport ; Greek Αεροδρόμιο Τυμπάκι ) is a military airfield in the Greek Air Force in the city Tymbaki on the Greek island of Crete .

history

Second World War

The airfield was built in 1941 by the German occupying forces during World War II. This was used for the German military operations in North Africa. This included the use of the Ju 52 and Me 323 for transport and the Ju 88 and Ju 86 for bombing and photo reconnaissance, as well as the Bf 109 as a combat aircraft. To disrupt these supply missions, British commando units were sent to the airfield for sabotage in 1942 as part of Operation Albumen. However, they discovered that all aircraft had been temporarily withdrawn from Egypt due to air strikes and the base was abandoned.

Usage today

At the end of the 1950s, the airfield was used by the Greek Air Force. During the Cold War, F-84Fs of the 115th Squadron were stationed here. From 1973 to 1979 the airfield served as a shooting range. From 1986 the airfield was used to accommodate soldiers and civilians in the summer months. Tymbaki airfield is hardly used for take-offs and landings today. Demilitarization was planned from 2006. Plans to convert it into an agricultural area or for a photovoltaic system have not yet been implemented. So far, glider flights by the Aero Club Heraklion and car races have taken place here in summer.

Individual evidence

↑ forgottenairfields.com (accessed June 19, 2013)

Web links

[1] rgottenairfields.com (accessed June 19, 2013)