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From the investment, to the operational details and goals of NATO, the role of the Kuçova base...
Albania will return to a strategic country as far as NATO air operations are concerned. On March 4, the air base of Kuçova will be inaugurated, a base that will increase the military commitment of our country. The US has been investing for more than 2 years and it seems that everything is already ready.
The Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said during the visit here in Tirana that this base is important for NATO, as the opportunity is being seen to deploy other assets of the alliance. But why was Kuçova chosen? What is the importance of this basis and why will it be used?
The works officially started in January 2022 and it is about an investment of nearly 51 million euros. Within the NATO project, Kuçova will serve as a support base for air supply; logistic support; air policing support; as well as Alliance training and exercises. But, in addition to these functions, Kuçova will also serve as a national base for the Albanian Air Force.
Why was Albania chosen?
A while ago, Lieutenant General Stephe Twitty and Deputy The command of the American Forces in Europe has shed more light on the function of this base. Asked why Kuçova was chosen, he said: " For several reasons. First, if you look at access, it is in a very good place to enable access to the Balkans, and secondly, the modernization of that base will bring capabilities and capacities that are not in any base in this Region. Not only NATO is happy to use it, but also we, the US Army, are happy to use that base ."
He further shed light on the role of this base. The American general declared that it will be populated by NATO and US soldiers. " You will see more NATO forces that will be based, you will see American forces and as a result you can see an economic development. It is still early to make a prediction, but I am sure that the more troops come and use it, the more the economic fruits will be seen. But again, it's still early at this point ," he said.
Investing
In September 2020, the agreement between the Albanian government and NATO for the Kuçova base went to Parliament. Many details are given in this agreement.
According to the draft, 100 thousand euros have gone to the restoration of the control tower. 8,545,000 euros went to provide facilities for storage and fuel supply for aircraft. 2,000,000 euros for the provision of ammunition facilities. 672,000 euros for the insurance of the center against breakdowns and fire and 30,000,000 euros for the restoration of the track.
The message for Russia
The establishment of the military base in Kučovo is definitely a message for Moscow. For the first time, NATO will have a base in the region and makes it clear to Russia that it will not allow any kind of instability. Also, our base will help the US in its operations to help Ukraine, but also the conflicts in the Middle East. The Kuçova base will be a support base, which means that it will assist in NATO and US aircraft operations.
" If we have a stabilized Balkans, then we also have a stabilized Europe. It is crucial that the Balkans remain a peaceful area and this is the reason why we hold this conference today. There are many countries that are committed even today here, committed to stability in the Region. But what we are looking for and my commitment as deputy. The EUCOM commander here is to ensure that we have peace and stability in the countries of Europe, and part of that peace and stability is to make sure that the Balkans are also stable. The same as the Baltic. We know that the East is threatened by malicious activities, and we want to assure our partners and allies that we support them in achieving their objectives in security matters ," Lieutenant General Stephe Twitty said recently.
This is how the base of Kuçova was created
Military Ward 3362 Kuçovo was called "23 Peza" Ward. It was created as the first large combat formation of the Air Force for the protection of the airspace of the Republic of Albania. The first core of this regiment was created by a special decision, where measures were taken to prepare the pilot and technical staff for the new reactive technique that the department would be equipped with. In addition to these, measures were taken to prepare the premises for the reception of the troops and equipment. After completing the training of the pilot and engineering-technical personnel, the regiment received its full form, ready to perform its duties. May 15, 1955 is the day of the regiment's creation.
By special decision of the People's Assembly No. 81 dated 06.11.1956, the Regiment is handed over the Combat Flag with the inscription "23rd PEZA Fighter Aviation Regiment". In January 1956, the regiment began combat training organized on the basis of a regular schedule. In May 2018, by order of the Minister of Defense, the sub-department of the aviation maintenance office was created with commander Daut Gurabardhi, while some of the pilots went for helicopter studies.
Meanwhile, it should not be forgotten that the US is seeing the possibility of building a naval base in our country, which if it happens, Albania will be among Moscow's "enemy" states. / Pamphlet
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