Riyaq Military Airport | military airbase

 airport, military airbase, military

Rayaq Air Base

(RAY/OLRA)









Located in the middle of the Bekaa Valley to the east, between the towns of Zahle and Baalbek, it symbolizes the Lebanese Air Force best and home for most of the aircraft types that have seen service and the final resting place for almost all retiring planes.
It has a rich history with different armies and air forces that have been involved in the Middle East, dating back as far as 1914 including the Germans, Ottoman Turks, British and the French and became the first air base for the Lebanese Air Force in 1949.
It is equipped with several hangars, most built by the French and later by Lebanon, an all concrete 3000 meter rwy (4/22) and the Aviation school for pilots training.
It was targeted by Israel in July 2006 and is currently the home of the Hawker Hunters, Bulldogs, UH-1H and Raven R44 II helicopters.

(Photo) The all concrete runway 4/22 of Rayaq Air Base at present.
The airport was briefly used by MEA during the civil war. Henry Kissinger also landed in Rayaq for talks in Lebanon.