Wheelus Air Base
Between its construction in 1923, and the end of the Cold War in 1991, the Wheelus Air Base near Tripoli in Libya belonged to five major world powers. The base's ownership neatly parallels world history's major events, and follows the evolution of power throughout the 20th century. After invading in 1911, Italy took control of Libya as a colony, and opened the air base in 1923. During World War II, another axis power, the Nazis took over the air base as a strategic post in the Mediterranean. As the war turned, the British seized control of the base in 1943, and began a long period of Western influence in Libya.[1]
Little America
Following the war, Wheelus was handed over to the United States which immediately jumped on the opportunity to maintain a base in a location strategic to North Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Shortly after taking control, there were 5,000 air force troops deployed at the base, and Wheelus became known as Little America.
While the Americans controlled the base, some Libyan forces were also deployed there, working side by side on their aircraft. One of these men was Muammar Gaddafi who, before instituting his own brand of strict religious rule, was reported to be a well-known playboy, drinking and carousing with the Americans stationed at Wheelus.
Gaddafi's flirtation with the West ended in 1969, when he deposed King Idris and promptly gave the Americans notice to leave Wheelus Air Base.
Soviet base
Having expelled the US Air Force, Gaddafi invited the Soviet Union to Wheelus, where they were stationed until the end of the Cold War. The base was renamed Okba Ben Nafi Air Base [aka Uqba bin Nafi Airfield], and became a Libyan air force installation containing the service's headquarters and a large share of its major training facilities. Both MiG fighters and Tu-22 bombers were located there. On 15 April 1986, it was bombed by the US as one of the targets of Operation El Dorado Canyon.
Methega airport
Today, Wheelus Air Base is known as Methega airport, and handles both domestic and international flights.[2]
