El Trompillo Air Base (Captain Horacio Vasquez)
Summary
| Operating Country | 🇧🇴 Bolivia |
| Location | 🇧🇴 Bolivia |
| Status | ◉ Active |
| Usage | Dual |
| Year built | 1920 |
| Operating Organization | Bolivian Air Force |
Location & Details
| Coordinates | -17.8115°N, -63.1714°E |
| Elevation | 413 m (1,355 ft) |
| IATA code | SRZ |
| ICAO code | SLET |
| Runways |
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Description
El Trompillo is located in the southern district of Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Established in 1920, the facility was originally designated Captain Horacio Vasquez. It functioned as the primary airport for the region until the 1984 opening of Viru Viru International Airport. Early operations were conducted by carriers including Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano and Panagra. Between 1980 and 1985, the base supported an increase in flight activity associated with counter-narcotics operations.
Current operations are managed by the Bolivian Air Force, which utilizes the facility for pilot training and student flight maneuvers. The base also facilitates local domestic flights. Following the 2019 cessation of operations by the carrier Transporte Aéreo Militar, the base has not hosted scheduled commercial passenger service.
Infrastructure at the installation includes Hangar 93, which previously served as the headquarters for Aerocon. The base supports the operation of Bolivian Air Force training aircraft and handles a registered volume of approximately 70 departures and arrivals involving military and civilian aviation.