Čáslav Airport
Čáslav Airport Letiště Čáslav | |
|---|---|
Saab JAS-39 Gripen taking off from Čáslav Airport, 2010 | |
| Summary | |
| Airport type | Military |
| Operator | Czech Air Force |
| Serves | Čáslav |
| Location | Czech Republic |
| Coordinates | 49°56′24″N 15°22′48″E / 49.94000°N 15.38000°E |
| Website | https://afbcaslav.mo.gov.cz/ |
Interactive map of Čáslav Airport | |
Čáslav Airport (Czech: Letiště Čáslav) is a military airport operated by Czech Armed Forces. The airport complex is located in Čáslav in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, near the village of Chotusice. The airport was built between 1952 and 1958. Since December 1, 2003, it has been the headquarters of the 21st Tactical Air Force Base, honorably named "Zvolenská", within the Czech Air Force.[1][2]
The Čáslav Airport is home to the 211th Tactical Squadron with JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets, the 212th Tactical Squadron with L-159A ALCA fighter jets, and the 213th Training Squadron with two-seater "Alkas" (L-159T1) and "Albatrosses" (L-39ZA).[1] The 21st Tactical Air Force Base holds open days for the public every two years.[3][4]
2025 burglary
At the beginning of 2025, an unknown perpetrator broke into the airport through a hole in the fence, stealing an unlocked car that had been driven to work by one of the airport's employees. The perpetrator drifted across the airport grounds in the stolen car before crashing the vehicle into a fence.[5] Members of the military police were unable to determine the man's identity and closed the case in August 2025.[6] General Jiří Šedivý described the January incident and the army's communication after it as a huge failure.[7] The postponement of the investigation into the incident gave rise to a number of internet memes, one of which concerned the inability to protect the F-35s that are to be stationed at the airport after their purchase from the United States.[8]
References
- ^ a b Čadil, Jan (4 September 2015). Vzdušné síly AČR - Ročenka 2015. Slovakia: Magnet Press. pp. 4–6. ISBN 978-80-89169-33-7. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
- ^ "Historie základny". 21. zTL Čáslav. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
- ^ "Den otevřených dveří letiště Čáslav". meucaslav.cz. Město Čáslav. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
- ^ Žáková, Pavla (15 May 2025). "Letecká vojenská základna v Čáslavi se na den otevře veřejnosti. Jaká jsou největší lákadla". iDNES.cz. Mafra. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
- ^ Novák, Jan (8 August 2025). "Místní mají z vojáků legraci. Pobuda se vloupal na leteckou základnu". Seznam Zprávy. Seznam. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
- ^ "Neznámý muž vnikl na vojenské letiště v Čáslavi, ukradl a naboural auto a utekl. Policie případ odložila". iROZHLAS. Czech Radio. 8 August 2025. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
- ^ Novák, Jan (10 August 2025). "Obrovské selhání, nechápu mlčení armády, říká generál o vloupání v Čáslavi". Seznam Zprávy. Seznam. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
- ^ Holakovský, Milan (10 August 2025). "Čáslavská základna zažila noční jízdu. Internet baví balada o ztracené felicii". Deník. Vltava Labe Media. Retrieved 26 October 2025.