Abu Suweir Air Base

Coordinates: 30°34′20″N 032°05′45″E / 30.57222°N 32.09583°E / 30.57222; 32.09583
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Abu Suweir Air Base
AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
09/27 2,972 metres (9,751 ft) Asphalt
11/29 2,960 metres (9,711 ft) Asphalt

Abu Suweir Air Base is an

Ismaïlia and 116 kilometres (72 mi) northeast of Cairo
. It is positioned for strategic defence of the Suez Canal waterway.

Second World War and Suez Crisis

During the

North African Campaign
against Axis forces.

USAAF Ninth Air Force units which used the airfield were:[1]

512th Bombardment Squadron, 9 November 1942-10 February 1943
513th Bombardment Squadron, 8 November 1942-10 February 1943
514th Bombardment Squadron, 8 November 1942-10 February 1943
515th Bombardment Squadron, 8 November 1942-6 February 1943

Royal Air Force units:

In the mid-1950s, the base was the last station to be handed over by the RAF to the Egyptians. This was despite the fact that Abu Sueir and Fanara were the two bases to be retained, to be maintained by civilian contractors.

The main body of 2nd Battalion

Middle East Land Forces amid the Suez Crisis, left on 24-25 March 1956 by ship; they had been located at Golf Course Camp in Port Said. The last remaining rear-guard company of the battalion left by air on 2 April 1956 from Abu Sueir.[3]

Abu Sueir was handed over to Egypt on 14 April 1956.[4]

Twenty-first century

Today, the airfield is an active Egyptian Air Force Base. Its Second World War configuration is still evident in aerial photography. It houses the 60th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 262nd Tactical Fighter Wing, flying General Dynamics F-16C/D Block 40s Fighting Falcons.[5]

See also

References

  1. OCLC 72556
    .
  2. ^ Jefford 1988, p. 153.
  3. ^ "British Army units from 1945 on - 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards".
  4. ^ David Lee (RAF officer), Wings in the Sun, pp49-50.
  5. ^ Scramble.nl
Bibliography
  • Jefford, C. G. (1988). RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912.
    ISBN 1-85310-053-6
    .

External links
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