Villanubla Air Base (Aeropuerto de Valladolid, Aeropuerto de Villanubla, Base aérea de Villanubla)
Summary
| Operating Country | 🇪🇸 Spain |
| Location | 🇪🇸 Spain |
| Status | ◉ Active |
| Usage | Dual |
| Year built | 1938 |
| Operating Organization | Spanish Air and Space Force |
| Units |
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Description
Villanubla Air Base is located in the municipality of Villanubla, Valladolid province, 10 km west of the provincial capital. The facility was established following a 1936 land grant for construction, with the formal inauguration occurring in 1938. In 1939, the 1st Air Brigade was stationed at the site, followed by the 16th Regiment in 1940 and the 33rd Regiment in 1941. The airfield opened to civil traffic in 1946, maintaining its status as a joint-use military and civil installation.
The Spanish Air and Space Force operates the military sector, which serves as the headquarters for Ala 37. This wing reached its 50th anniversary at the base in 2024. Other resident units include 422 Squadron. Military infrastructure includes an 11,000 m² platform. The base hosts CASA CN-235 maritime surveillance aircraft operated by Wings 46, 48, and 49, alongside Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft assigned to 422 Squadron. It also operates C-212 Aviocar aircraft on loan from 721 Squadron.
During 1972 and 1973, the base underwent modernization of its taxiways and parking platforms. The runway was expanded in 1990. A 5,200 m² de-icing platform was added in 2005. The facility also contains a secondary compacted earth runway for exclusive military use. In 2007, instrumental landing capabilities were upgraded to ILS CAT II/III to mitigate fog-related diversions. Recent organizational changes include the deactivation of Ala 42 in 2020.