MILITARY AIRFIELD CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION IN LIBYA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82T00709R000201000001-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 26, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: July 1, 1982
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/04/26: CIA-
Secret
imagery analysis report
Military Airfield Construction and
Renovation in Libya (S)
Secret
WNINTEL
Z-14594/82
IAR-0070/82
JULY 1982
Copy 171
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MILITARY AIRFIELD CONSTRUCTION
AND RENOVATION IN LIBYA (S)
INTRODUCTION
1. (S/WN) This report provides information on new military airfield construction and renovations to
existing military airfields in Libya through Information is also provided on other military
airfields. The report includes a location map, four annotated photographs, and a table. Only major
military airfields are discussed in this report.
DISCUSSION
2. (S/WN) Six airfields are under construc-
tion, and two airfields and one helicopter base are
undergoing major renovation in Libya (Figure 1
and Table 1). Construction start dates for the air-
fields range from 1976 to 1981. Three airfields were
nearly complete, and three were in the early
stages of construction in May 1982.
New Airfields
Al Jufrah Airfield
3. (S/WN) Al Jufrah Airfield (Figure 2), in
north-central Libya, 260 nautical miles (nm) south-
east of Tarabulus and 116 nm south of Ghurdabi-
yah Airfield, was first identified in the early stage
"nstruction on and by
the airfield was in the late stage of construc-
tion. It consists of a 4,207-meter, main northwest/
southeast, concrete and asphalt runway. Also un-
der construction are a parallel, concrete and as-
phalt, auxiliary runway/taxiway and an aircraft dis-
persal area with at least 12 fighter-sized probably
hardened aircraft shelters (possibly Soviet type).
When complete, this airfield will be capable of
handling any aircraft currently in the Libyan inven-
tory. A probable barracks/administration area and
a possible POL storage area were under construc-
tion east of the airfield. A construction-support
facility is also east of the airfield.
Ghadames East Airfield
4. (S/WN) Ghadames East Airfield (Figure 3),
10 nm southeast of the Tunisian-Algerian-Libyan
border, was first observed in the early stage of
construction in July 1978. This airfield consists of a
main, 3,601- by 45-meter runway; a secondary,
1,968- by 40-meter runway; one parallel taxiway;
two end-connecting taxiways; two high-speed
alert taxiways; seven connecting taxiways; two
alert-parking aprons; one main parking apron;
and two support-parking aprons. A construction-
support camp is 1.2 nm south of the airfield. By
February 1980, the graded outline for main and
secondary runways, taxiways, and parking aprons
had been observed and one third of the main
runway had been oiled. By December 1981, the
main runway and parallel taxiway had been cov-
ered with asphalt. In February 1982, the concrete
touchdowns were set and all as halting appeared
to be complete. By the landing
markers, orientation num ers, and taxi lines had
been painted on all the runways and taxiways. No
aircraft have been observed at this airfield.
WNINTEL
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Martubah New Airfield
5. (S/WN) Martubah New Airfield, in eastern
Libya, 68 nm west of Tubruq and 138 nm east of
Banghazi, was first observed in the early stage of
construction in July 1977. This airfield consists of a
3,030- by 45-meter asphalt runway with concrete
touchdowns, one parallel taxiway/auxiliary run-
way, two concrete end-connecting taxiways, four
connecting taxiways, and one large parking apron.
Two earth-covered, POL storage bunkers are also
at the airfield. Since July 1977, construction has
progressed at a very slow rate, but by December
1980, the runway had been asphalted and work
had begun on the concrete touchdowns and end-
connecting links. In December 1980, imagery re-
vealed a severe drainage problem at the airfield. A
large ditch had been cut across the northern third
of the runway and parallel taxiway. By February
1982, an extensive trench network for a drainage
system had been observed encompassing the air-
field. The concrete touchdowns and end-connect-
ing links were completed, and work on the park-
ing aprons was still underway. This airfield has not
become operational.
Al Wigh Airfield
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ZDAI
6. (S/WN) Al Wigh Airfield, 172 nm south of
Sebha Airfield and 74 nm north of the Chadian-
Libyan border, was first observed in the midstage
of construction on The airfield 25X1
consists of a main runway, 4,316 by 72 meters; a
secondary runway, 1,805 by 45 meters; one parallel
taxiway; five link taxiways; and a large parking
apron on the east side of the airfield. A construc-
tion/support camp with one large vehicle-storage
building and at least 50 housing trailers is adjacent
to the east side of the airfield. The construction/
support camp and probable runway drainage
trenches were seen on imagery of
The completion of this airfield will provide Libya
with an isolated, bomber-capable airfield in the
southwestern portion of the country.
Tubruq Airfield
7. (S/WN) Tubruq Airfield, on the western
outskirts of Tubruq in eastern Libya, was first ob-
served in the early stage of construction in late
1976. Brief periods of construction were observed
during 1978 and 1980. This airfield consists of a
3,400- by 45-meter runway, two connecting
taxiways, and a large parking apron. Runway ex-
tension, grading, and rolling were underway in
1981 but have ceased. When completed, this air-
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field will be capable of handling all of Libya's
present inventory of large cargo transport aircraft.
The very slow and sporadic nature of the construc-
tion at this facility suggests that it has a low
priority.
Matan As Sarra Airfield
8. (S/WN) Matan As Sarra Airfield, in south-
west Libya, approximately 75 nm north of the
Chadian-Libyan border, was initially identified in
the early stage of construction in July 1980, and
construction has not progressed very rapidly. The
airfield consists of one runway, which will be
approximately 4,120 meters long. Although the
function of this airfield has not yet been deter-
mined, it could accommodate any aircraft cur-
rently in the Libyan inventory when complete.
Renovated Airfields
Al Bumbah Airfield
9. (S/WN) Al Bumbah Airfield (Figure 4), in
northeastern Libya, was the first Libyan airfield
specifically constructed to support helicopters. Ini-
tial construction of a landing strip was first ob-
served on the
initial deployment of 11 HOPLITEs was observed.
By mid-September, the initial grading and rolling
for a second landing strip was underway, and the
construction of permanent barracks and a hangar
was also observed. The mobile trailers which have
been in the support area since July 1980 were
probably used as both barracks and support/oper-
ations buildings. This airfield supports 25 to 30
HOPLITEs.
Brach Airfield 2
10. (S/WN) Brach Airfield 2, 40 nm northwest
of Sebha Airfield in west-central Libya, consists of
a 1,829-meter runway, constructed on the site of
an abandoned gravel/sand runway. The runway
was first observed under construction in Septem-
ber 1980; by October 1981, the airfield had be-
come fully operational. In February 1982, a 1,243-
meter extension at the southeast end of the run-
way was in the midstage of construction. Upon
completion of the runway extension, this isolated
airfield could accommodate bomber aircraft. The
first deployment of military aircraft (17 L-39 Alba-
e
tross) to this airfield was observed on
Z
Libya
International boundary
Muh0fazat boundary
b Nahonal capital
0 Muhsfazat capital
Road
0 50 100 150 Miles
0 50 100 160 Kilometers
Operational airfield
EN Operational airfield
undergoing renovation
* Airfield UCON
A Helicopter base
argeau
FIGURE 1. LOCATIONS OF MAJOR MILITARY AIRFIELDS IN LIBYA
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NPIC T-4503
IA R-0070/82
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Table 1.
Major Military Airfields in Libya
(Items keyed to Figure 1)
This table in its entirety is classified SECRET/WNINTEL
Runway Orientation
Item Airfield/BE No/Coordinates & Length
(m)
31-03-34N
01 6-35-49E
Benina
NW/SE; 3.633 x 46
Asphalt with concrete
touchdowns
32-05-45N
020-1 6-30E
Labraq
E/W; 3,261 x 44
Asphalt with concrete
NE/SW; 1,961 x 60
touchdowns
32-47-23N
021-57-53E
Martubah New
NNE/SSW; 3,030 x 45
Asphalt with concrete
touchdowns
32-32-45N 022-44-50E
Al Bumbah North
NW/SE; 3,393 x 45
Asphalt with concrete
touchdowns
E/W; 3,232 x 45
Asphalt with concrete
touchdowns
32-28-28N
01 1-53-55E
2
Tripoli
E/W; 3,660 x 45
Asphalt with concrete
N/S; 2,230 x 45
touchdowns
32-39-45N
01 3-09-35E
ESE/WNW; 3,450 x 60
Asphalt with concrete
touchdowns
32-53-46N
013-1 6-32E
Misurata
NW/SE; 3,400 x 44
Asphalt with concrete
touchdowns
32-19-28N
015-03-50E
Ghurdabiyah
N/S; 4,300 x 64
Asphalt with concrete
NW/SE; 3,605 x 46
touchdowns
10
Surface
Remarks
Fighter base; Mirage
F-1, & HIND; parallel
taxiways & 8
hardened aircraft shel-
ters (ucon)
Military/civilian base;
CANDID, Super Fre-
lon, & CH-47
Fighter/bomber base;
BLINDER, FOXBAT,
Mirage III/V, L-39, &
C-130; parallel taxiway
& 14 double aircraft
bunkers
Training base; FISHBED,
Galeb, & HOPLITE;
parallel taxiway
Fighter base; FLOGGER,
FITTER, L-39, & HAZE
A; 80 hardened aircraft
shelters & N/S & NW/SE
parallel taxiway (FOXBAT
deployment)
Military/civilian base;
FLOGGER & G-222T
transport;
parallel runway
Fighter base; FLOGGER,
HIND, & CH-47; parallel
E/W taxiway; air-
field support bldgs ucon
Ucon; drainage
system being installed
Fighter base; FISHBED;
taxiways, parking aprons,
& airfield support bldgs
ucon
32-27-36N O23-06-52E
Al Bumbah
NW/SE
Asphalt
32-25-15N 023-07-32E
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Helicopter base; HOPLITE
Runway Orientation
Item
Airfield/BE No/Coordinates
& Length
Surface
(m)
Tubruq
N/S; 3.400 x 45
Runway ucon
32-O5-46N 023-50-21 E
12
E/W; 3,018 x 46
Concrete
NNW/SSE; 3.002 x 40
31-51-15N O23-55-02E
NE/SW; 2,538 X 34
13
Ghadames East
NE/SW; 3,601 x 45
Asphalt with concrete
N/S; 1,968 x 40
touchdowns
30-08-DON 0O9-42-OOE
14
Al Jufrah
NW/SE; 4,207 x 61
Asphalt & concrete
29-1O-OON 016-00-DOE
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Al Booster
NE/SW; 3.496 x 46
Asphalt with concrete
touchdowns
29-53-30N O23-20-54E
16
Brach Airfield 2
WNW/ESE; 3,072 x 60
Asphalt
(including extension)
27-40-DON 014-16-DOE
17
Sebha
NW/SE; 3,639 x 45
Asphalt with concrete
touchdowns
26-59-36N 014-28-OlE
18
G hat
N/S; 3,609 x 46
Asphalt with concrete
ENE/WSW; 1,503 x 30
touchdowns
25-07-57N Oi0-08-56E
19
Al Wigh
NW/SE; 4,316 x 72
Unk
NE/SW; 1,805 x 45
Unk
24-1 1-OON 014-33-ODE
20
Kufra
NNE/SSW; 3.694 x 45
Asphalt with concrete
touchdowns
24-10-55N O23-19-O8E
21
NNE/SSW; 4,120
Oiled sand
21-40-DON O21-54-OOE
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Remarks
Prob civilian base ucon
Fighter base; Mirage
III/V, & FISH BED; 2 double,
17 single aircraft bunkers,
& runway improvements in
progress
Final stages of cons;
support facs being built
Ucon; 12 prob
hardened aircraft shel-
ters, support facs, parallel
auxiliary runway/taxiway, &
aircraft hardstands
Forward deployment base;
limited support facs
Prob military/civilian base;
runway extension in progress
Military/civilian base;
Mirage III/V, SF-260,
& CH-47 (FOXBAT
deployment)
Military/civilian base;
SF-260; N/S parallel
taxiway in midstage
of cons (FOXBAT deployment)
Ucon
Fighter/bomber base;
BLINDER & FISH BED;
resurfacing/repairing
runway & parallel taxiway
Prob support base
ucon
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by 60-meter runway became operational; in Janu-
ary 1980, FLOGGER aircraft were observed here for
11. (S/WN) Labraq Airfield (Figure 5), 11.5 the first time. Prior to the arrival of the FLOGGERs,
nm east-northeast of Al Bayda in northeast Libya only small straight-winged aircraft and helicopters
and 104 nm northeast of Banghazi, has been un- had been present. The east/west, 3,261- by 44-
dergoing major reconstruction since mid-1978. In meter main runway and probable auxiliary run-
November 1979, the northeast/southwest, 1,961- way/parallel taxiway were still under construction.
Labraq Airfield
(S/WN) Selected imagery acquired from January 1976 through May 1982 was used in the preparation of this
report.
(S) Comments and queries regarding this report are welcome. They may be directed to
World Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC,
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