CoBases – US Military Bases

Category: Bulgaria

Novo Selo Training Range
It is also known as Novo Selo Training Range built in 1962. It is one of the most important training facilities in Bulgaria, which is used by both Bulgarian and NATO forces stationed in the country. It is a large training facility and it is located around 45km away from Bezmer Air Base, which is a major air force base. The range is also very close to port of city Burgas in the Silven province of Bulgaria. The base is widely used by NATO and US Arm forces; it is also home to numerous joint US-Bulgaria training exercises.

Novo Selo Range Facts
- Website: No known website for Novo Selo Range.
- Location: Bulgaria
- Latitude: 42.720278
- Longitude: 26.591944
- DSN: N/A
The base is also used for biological and chemical weapon testing, tank shooting and reconnaissance training exercises. The range is also home to nuclear weapon testing. Infact the range is one of the widely visited training facilities by NATO and US Forces, which makes it count in one of the best training and testing ranges in countries where US Forces are stationed. The range was first used by international forces in 2004 and it is still in use. A good feature of Bulgaria Novo Selo Range is that it is surrounded by mountains and empty areas.

The base has also offered its services in number of wars including Cold War. The United States has invested around $60 million since 2008 in building new structures and training facilities, and it is still in construction. Infact it is the only state-of-the-art training range to support international exercises in the country.

The base is also enlisted in Defense Cooperation Agreement that was signed between United States and Bulgaria. The agreement also includes that no more than 2500 soldiers from US Forces will be stationed in Bulgaria. And the duration of the exercise will be of limited time. The base is under the control of Bulgaria but it is usually used by international forces.
July 3, 2011
Graf Ignatievo Air Base
The base is also known as Graf Igantievo Air Base and it is located in a small town of Graf Ignatievo in the city of Plodiv in Bulgaria. It is the only base of jet fighter planes commissioned with two squadrons of jet planes. The base was built in 1930 by the government of Adolph Hitler usually referred to as Nazi Germany, and it was built to support Hitler’s air force. But later the base was given to Bulgarian Air Force in 1940s. The first air squadron of Graf Ignatievo comprise of four planes, which also included bi-planes from Czechoslovak and a bomber from Poland. Later the base was provided with better planes including 12 Junkers Ju-87 dive bombers and more. But later the base was used against Nazi Germany.

Graf Ignatievo Air Base Facts
- Website: No known website for Graf Ignatievo.
- Location: Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Latitude: 42.290278
- Longitude: 24.713889
- DSN: N/A
During and after the war the air squadrons were transferred to other bases numerous times and were taken control by different countries. In result the air regiment at the base was introduced with newer and better planes after some time, and most of the planes were operated from Bulgaria Graf Ignatievo.

In 1990 many air regiments and air squadrons with different planes were disbanded at both Bulgaria Graf Ignatievo air field and former Uzundzhovo Air Base in Bulgaria. But air regiments at Uzundzhovo Air Base and Bulgaria Graf Ignatievo base were merged into one and were stationed at Bulgaria Graf Ignatievo base. Today it is the only air fighter defense base in operation. It also participates in international exercises with its remaining air crafts. There are also plans to merge 3^rd Fighter Air Base the only air squadron with 22nd Ground Attack Air base in Bezmer to facilitate US Forces stationed in Bulgaria. The decision is not certain as it depends upon stationing of US Forces in Bulgaria.
July 2, 2011
Bezmer Air Force Base
It is also known as Bezmer Air Force base and it is located in a small town of Yambol in Bulgaria. The base was named after Khan of Bezmar from 7^th Century. The base played a small role in World War I in providing support to zeppelins, which were used to drop bombs in some countries such as Sudan, Russia and Malta. It is also home to one of the first bases of Bulgarian Air Force. The base was first commissioned with 22 Fighter Air Regiment in 1955 and later was converted to 22 Attack Air Base. Today it is serving as a base for jet planes including Sukhoi-25, which are still in use by some countries such as Iran, Ethiopia, North Korea, Sudan, Peru, Russia and more. The base is also stationed with other models of Sukhoi jet planes such Su-22M-4 and Su-22UM-3K, which have participated in number of exercises and NATO operations. There planes were widely used in number of operations such as Operation Desert Strom, Iran-Iraq war and Persian Gulf War.

Bezmer AFB Facts
- Website: No known website for Bezmer AFB.
- Location: Yambol region of Bulgaria
- Latitude: 42.454722
- Longitude: 26.352222
- DSN: N/A
Today the Bulgaria Bezmer base is taking part in number of joint training exercises such as PfP (partnership for peace), which is a NATO program designed to create an environment of peace among NATO nations. The program comprises of countries such as Bulgaria, Turkey, France and more. The base offers its services and provides support to NATO programs. The base also offered its services in other joint programs such as Immediate Response 2006, which was held between United States and Bulgaria.

To coop with international joint operations, the base is installed with new technological navigational and communication systems. There also plans to expand the range of the base to support planes at longer distances. The base is also ranked among the best bases in the world where US Forces are stationed, and it receives great importance by US Forces.
July 2, 2011
Aitos Logistics Center
Bulgaria Aitos is also known as Aitos Logistics Center and it is located in a small town of Aitos in the republic of Bulgaria. The base is one of four bases that were established in the republic of Bulgaria through Defense Cooperation Agreement between United States and Bulgaria in 2006. The main purpose of the agreement is to promote NATO forces within the region and make black sea safer for ships passing in the sea, as there are number of pirates in the black sea. To solve this problem the United States established four bases in the republic of Bulgaria.

Aitos Logistics Center Facts
- Website: No known website for Aitos Logistics Center.
- Location: Bulgaria near the central Bulgarian town of Aitos
- Latitude: 42.7
- Longitude: 27.25
- DSN: N/A
The base is primarily used to store munitions for United States Forces stationed in the country. It supplies ammunition to different parts of the country and other three bases as well. The base is divided into different sections stored with different kinds of weapons and hardware. The Bulgaria Aitos also comprise of military ammunition and hardware testing site near Aitos town named as Novo Selo Range.

The Novo Selo Range was established in 1962 and it is currently in use by NATO forces. And it is one of the most widely visited test ranges by United States and Bulgaria Forces, and many NATO forces comes here for ammunition practicing. The base also serves as a US-Bulgaria joint operation testing range and there has been some investment by US Forces on Novo Selo Range.

According to some reports there are around 2500 US soldiers stationed in Bulgaria on Defense Cooperation Agreement bases, and US soldiers are not allowed to bring their families with them in the country. Both countries are focusing on providing security in black sea, joint exercises and training. It is also agreed in the agreement that the bases will remain under control of Bulgaria. It is also agreed on the agreement that no more than 2500 soldiers will be stationed in the country and the duration of exercises will be limited.
July 2, 2011