Timbaki

35°03'49"N 024°45'57"E

runway: 09/27 - 2713x35m/9105x102ft - asphalt
runway: 16/34 - 1650x35/5400x102feet - concrete (CLOSED)

Air field Timbaki (Greek: Αεροδρόμιο Τυμπακίου, also known as Airport Tympaki, ICAO:LG54) was an airfield on the island of Crete in Greece.
The airfield was built by the Germans in 1941 during World War II. It was mainly used with resupplying German operations in North Africa. Aircraft types operating from Crete at the time included the Ju 52 and Me 323 for transport, the Ju 88 and Ju 86 for bombing and photo-reconnaissance and the Bf 109 as a fighter. To disrupt these resupply missions British SAS forces were sent to the airfield as part of Operation Albumen. They discovered however that all aircraft had been temporarily withdrawn due to air raids from Egypt and the base was abandoned.


Unfortunately no images of the airfield while in use have been located.


2005 aerial photo of Timbaki (Google Earth)

After the war the airfield became a Greek military installation. It was expanded in the 1950s and became home to 126Sqn (126 ΣΜ) of the Hellenic Air Force. It was used and reassigned on and off, lastly with F-84Fs of 115Sqn (115 ΠΜ).
In 1973 the airfield was reconfigured for use as a shooting range. This training role ended in 1979. From 1986 the airfield became a resort for officers, NCOs and civilian personnel during the summer months. For this role the unit was renamed in 1992. The last known unit assigned to the field was 138Sqn (138 ΣΜ).
In April 2006 the residents of Timbaki learned from the local press that the demilitarisation of the airfield had been initiated. After it transpired that the airfield might be involved in a locally unwanted container terminal the Minister of Defence offered it as an opportunity to export local produce. In August 2006 the 'green light' was given for the demilitarisation. The decision was soon reversed though, as the minister announced in November 2006, pending a decision to convert the area into a 'free trade zone'. The site was also suggested as a photovoltaic plant, but local farmers protested against the suggestion, claiming the grounds were better suited for growing crops. A decision on the matter is still pending, but given the Greek economic situation in 2013, a decision is not expected soon.
Meanwhile the airfield is being used for glider flights and motor races.


Timbaki, seen from the air in 2012 (source, in Greek)