About this Unit
Wheelus Air Base, located near Tripoli, Libya, was established by the United States Army Air Forces during World War II in 1943. Originally named Mellaha Airfield, it was later renamed Wheelus Air Base in honor of Lieutenant Richard Wheelus in 1948. Throughout the Cold War, Wheelus served as a crucial Strategic Air Command (SAC) base for bomber training, air refueling, and as a staging point for U.S. operations in the Mediterranean and Middle East. The base remained a key U.S. facility until 1970, when it was handed over to the Libyan government following the rise of Muammar Gaddafi.
Historical Facts
•
Origins as an Italian Airfield: Wheelus Air Base was originally constructed by the Italian Air Force in 1923 and was known as Mellaha Air Base before World War II.
•
Captured in World War II: The British Eighth Army seized the base during World War II in 1943, after which it was used by the Allied forces.
•
USAF Establishment: The United States Air Force took control of the base in 1945, renaming it Wheelus Field in honor of Lieutenant Richard Wheelus, a USAAF officer who died in a plane crash in Iran in 1945.
•
Strategic Cold War Location: Wheelus AFB became a crucial USAF installation in the Mediterranean, serving as a strategic base for bomber training and nuclear-capable aircraft during the Cold War.
•
Training Base for SAC: The Strategic Air Command (SAC) used Wheelus as a primary training site for bombing and gunnery exercises, especially for B-47 and B-52 crews.
•
Largest USAF Installation Overseas: At its peak, Wheelus AFB was one of the largest US Air Force bases outside the continental United States, housing around 4,500 personnel and their families.
•
Recreation and Community: Wheelus was known among servicemen as the "Little America in the Desert," offering amenities such as schools, movie theaters, clubs, and even a swimming beach on the Mediterranean Sea.
•
Role in the 1956 Suez Crisis: During the Suez Crisis, Wheelus AFB served as a critical staging and support area for US and allied air operations in the region.
•
End of US Operations: Following the 1969 Libyan coup led by Muammar Gaddafi, US forces withdrew from Wheelus AFB. The base was officially handed over to the Libyan government in June 1970.
•
Transformation into Mitiga International Airport: The former Wheelus AFB is now known as Mitiga International Airport, serving as one of Tripoli's main airports and as a Libyan Air Force base.
