Bilbays Air Base (RAF Bilbeis)

Bilbays Air Base is located near Bilbeis in the Sharqia Governorate, Egypt. The facility is owned by the Ministry of Defense and operated by the Egyptian Air Force. It serves as the primary location for the Egyptian Air Academy.

The site was originally established as RAF Bilbeis, a Royal Air Force station during the Second World War. Between 1941 and 1943, it hosted several British units, including No. 31 Squadron operating Douglas DC-2 aircraft and No. 117 Squadron flying the de Havilland DH.86 Express, Lockheed Hudson VI, Lockheed Lodestar, and Douglas DC-3. No. 162 Squadron was stationed there with Vickers Wellington IC and Bristol Blenheim IV and V aircraft, while No. 267 Squadron operated the Lockheed Lodestar, Messerschmitt Bf 109F, Lockheed Hudson, and Douglas DC-3. The current airfield infrastructure was completed in 1985.

The base currently hosts multiple units of the Egyptian Air Force. The 101 Air Brigade operates No. 3 and No. 5 Squadrons, which utilize Grob G 115EG aircraft. The 201 Air Wing is stationed at the facility, consisting of No. 28 and No. 29 Squadrons flying the Hongdu K-8E. Rotary-wing operations are conducted by the 301 Air Wing, which maintains No. 54 Squadron operating Aérospatiale SA342L Gazelle helicopters.