Cheshnegirovo Air Base (Sadovo)

Summary

Operating Country 🇧🇬 Bulgaria
Location 🇧🇬 Bulgaria
Status Closed
UsageMilitary only
Year built1951
Year closed2002
Operating OrganizationBulgarian Air Force
Units
  • 25th Fighter-Bomber Air Regiment
  • 10th Composite Aviation Corps

Location & Details

Map of Cheshnegirovo Air Base
Coordinates42.1139°N, 24.9914°E
Elevation184 m (604 ft)
ICAO codeLBPS
Runways
  • 10/28 [concrete]

Description

Cheshnegirovo Air Base, also identified as Sadovo or Tcheshnigirovo, is located in central Bulgaria northeast of Plovdiv. Established in 1951, the facility served as the primary station for the 25th Fighter-Bomber Air Regiment under the 10th Composite Aviation Corps. The base initially hosted squadrons of Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 aircraft. In 1976, the resident unit transitioned to the MiG-23BN and MiG-23UB variants.

During a restructuring period of the Bulgarian Air Force, the 25th Fighter-Bomber Air Regiment became the first unit to convert to an air base organizational structure. The facility briefly functioned as the central hub for the entire Bulgarian MiG-23 fleet before active flight operations ceased.

The installation became inactive between 2000 and 2002. It remains under the control of the Bulgarian Air Force and is utilized as a storage site for aircraft. The infrastructure includes a concrete runway and facilities formerly used to support fighter-bomber operations.

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