Tripoli-Mitiga (Umm Aitiqah)

ICAO Code	HLLM/MJI
Last Validated	Oct 2009
City	Tripoli
Position	32°53'39"N 013°16'34"E
Runway(s)	11/29
Elevation	36 ft

General

Mitiga is best known for its bi-annual trade show 'Lavex'. It houses Libyan Air Force transports, helicopters and fighter aircraft as well as an overhaul centre and several stored and derelict aircraft.

Layout

The former Wheelus Air Base has a main east-west runway adorned with several dispersal along side it. The northwest holds the main ramp were the heavy transports usually are parked. This is also the venue for Lavex. Southwest of that, near the western threshold, an overhaul centre can be found. East of the main ramp there is a taxiway and south of that, the fighter flight line runs from northwest to southeast, connecting the main ramp to the taxiway and runway.
About halfway down the runway, on the north side, there is another ramp used by trainers and light transports. North of that is a small area which holds the dump. The northeast corner is home to the based helicopters. Lastly, the southeast part is occupied by a seemingly disused shelter area with several stored MiG-25s parked in it.

Getting There

From downtown head north until you reach the coast. Then simply follow the main road eastbound along the coast. This becomes the Fatah Highway leading to Leptis Magna and Benghazi.

Around the Airport

1West side approach

If you want to risk spotting from the outside, the barren piece of land south of the roundabout near the southwest gate offers good opportunities. You will be in full view of the busy road, gate and surrounding houses though...

2North side airshow view

The flying display of the airshow uses the north-south taxiway as centreline which means backlight until 14.00 hours if you are on the main ramp. North of Al Fatah highway the beachfront offers the opportunity to take pictures with good light in the morning. Many Libyans frequent this area, divers, fisherman, couples et cetera. There are remnants of an old road running parallel and north to the highway.

3East side helicopter view

The eastern perimeter does not have a wall, just a fence. This provides a clear view on the helicopter ramp. A slow drive by with a vehicle and making photographs to decipher the identities of the various helicopters is the best options. You can also simply walk past, but swaying large bins around is probably not advisable.

4East side approach

Underneath the east side approach another piece of waste land offers some cover because of the assorted trees. Unluckily, that are is straight under the centreline. A better option is the elevated sandy parking space along the road running eastbound from the main road intersection just south of the threshold.

5Southeast side shelter area view

Although the houses and yards are often walled off and built straight against the perimeter wall, with some effort glimpses of the MiG-25s can be caught on the south side. First place to do this is from the small dead end road running north along a transport company. Both from the terrain of the mosque as well as the right hand side bank of the road, a MiG-25 can just be seen tail on. This is the northernmost example, also visible from the west side of the helicopter ramp (where the European off shore helicopters reside).

6South side shelter area view

Following the main road clockwise, take the first asphalt street right. After 100 metres it bends left and then right. The through road bends left again but there you should go straight. Behind the soccer pitch you can find a piece of debris or boulder to stand on to look over the wall. Two MiG-25s, the south easternmost, are visible from this spot.

7Dumped Tu-22

It is possible to virtually get in touching distance of the stored Tu-22. Follow the road along the southern wall. Were the wall bends northwest, you can already see it. Go right after the mosque and proceed onto the wasteland. By standing on the debris you can actually clear the wall by a fair margin, possibly enough to take decent photographs on the runway. In the far northwest corner of this piece of land, an oil drum serves as a step along with holes carved in the wall to enable the local kids to scale the wall and use the dispersal with the Tu-22 as playing ground...