Gweru-Thornhill Air Base
Summary
Airport typeMilitary
Elevation AMSL4,680 ft / 1,426 m
Coordinates19°26′11″S 29°51′43″E / 19.43639°S 29.86194°E / -19.43639; 29.86194
Map
GWE is located in Zimbabwe
GWE
GWE
Location of the airport in Zimbabwe
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
13R/31L 2,385 7,826 Asphalt
13L/31R 2,672 8,766 Asphalt
Sources: World Aero Data[1] GCM[2]

Gweru-Thornhill Air Base (IATA: GWE, ICAO: FVTL) is one of the two main air bases of the Air Force of Zimbabwe located near the central city of Gweru,[3]

Thornhill Air Base is home to air force fighter squadrons and the Pilot Training School. According to Janes Defence Weekly of 6 September 2006 a US$41.5m simulation center was being established. A full range of amenities and services, which include workshops, transport fleets, equipment depots, and accommodation, sporting and entertainment facilities, support the base.

It is home to these squadrons:

  • No. 2 Squadron (Cobra) - for advanced jet training and close air support. Operates 12 K-8s.
  • No. 4 Squadron (Hornet) - equipped with Cessna FTB337G and O-2A
  • No. 5 Squadron (Arrow) - interceptor/fighter role with Chengdu F-7 II/IIN and Guizhou FT-7BZ.
  • No. 6 Squadron (Tiger) - with SF-260M, SF-260TP and SF-260W

See also

References

  1. "Airport information for FVTL". World Aero Data. Archived from the original on 5 March 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) Data current as of October 2006.
  2. Airport information for FVTL at Great Circle Mapper.
  3. McCrea, Barbara; Tony Pinchuck (2000). The Rough Guide to Zimbabwe. Rough Guides. p. 106. ISBN 1-85828-532-1.



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