Located on the border between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, beneath the Plješevica mountain near the city of Bihać, Željava Air Base once held the title of the most expansive subterranean airport and military air base within the boundaries of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) and was among Europe's largest. These exceptional facilities are jointly managed by the municipal authorities of Bihać and the Lika-Senj County in Croatia.

What is the history of Željava Air Base?
The 'Objekat' series of military installations, strategically located within the former Yugoslavia, were initiated by the Ministry of Defence of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY). These bases, secluded yet significant, played a pivotal role during the Yugoslav Wars. Many of them were utilized by the Serbs in various operations, but they suffered extensive damage at the hands of Croatian forces, rendering them militarily useless. Today, these installations have garnered attention from urban explorers, though the activity is not without risk, as unexplored areas may conceal anti-personnel landmines. Some facilities escaped destruction due to unique circumstances, as control shifted away from the Serbs. One example of a surviving installation is the D-0 Armijska Ratna Komanda nuclear bunker in Konjic, which, although repurposed into an art complex, remains under the ownership of the Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The construction of Željava Air Base, codenamed 'Objekat 505,' was inspired by the mountain hangars employed by the Swedish Göta Wing (F 9). This ambitious project commenced in 1948 and reached completion in 1968. During these two decades, the SFRY invested an astonishing $6 billion, an amount equivalent to three times the combined annual military budgets of present-day Serbia and Croatia. This endeavor stood out as one of Europe's most substantial and costly military construction projects. Notably, the airfield's existence was captured through American CORONA satellite reconnaissance in 1968.
The facility had a critical role in establishing and coordinating a nationwide early warning radar network in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY), akin to NORAD in the US. It was strategically positioned on Mount Plješevica, with its 'Celopek' radar serving as the nerve center of an advanced integrated air defense network, covering Yugoslavia's airspace and territory. The complex was designed to withstand a direct hit from a 20-kiloton nuclear bomb and had tunnels accommodating fighter and reconnaissance squadrons, including units equipped with MiG-21 fighter aircraft.
The underground complex featured semicircular concrete shields to absorb munition impacts and included essential facilities such as power generators, crew quarters, food, fuel, and arms storage capable of lasting 30 days. An underground water source and a network of pipes supplied fuel from a military warehouse. Above ground, the facility boasted five runways and various security measures, including mobile tracking and targeting radars, surface-to-air missile sites, and a Quick Reaction Alert aircraft ready for immediate takeoff. Access points were closely monitored, with strict authorization required for entry, and guards had the authority to use force against unauthorized individuals.
The Željava Air Base was heavily utilized during the Yugoslav Wars in 1991. It saw significant destruction during the withdrawal of the Yugoslav People's Army, which deliberately damaged the runway by detonating explosives placed in pre-built spaces. The Military of Serbian Krajina further destroyed the complex in 1992, setting off an additional 56 tonnes of explosives, causing a powerful explosion that impacted the nearby city of Bihać.
Presently, the area is used for canine training by local police forces and the CPA due to the lingering threat of landmines. Visiting the Željava complex is highly dangerous because of the mines. The destruction inflicted on base buildings and equipment was substantial, and the environmental damage was severe. Reconstruction efforts are hampered by financial constraints, the presence of international borders, and the extensive minefields. Nearby barracks in Ličko Petrovo Selo are operated by the Croatian Army.
The base has become a transit point for illegal migrants. Although there were plans to convert it into an asylum seekers' facility or part of military training grounds, these ideas were ultimately abandoned. An agreement between the former Yugoslav countries prohibits the establishment of military facilities within 15 km of their borders. The Bihać Municipality has expressed interest in creating a local airport on the site, utilizing the existing runway.

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Inserted: 23-10-2023 01:10:45