The NATO base in Kučovo is ready/ Opens on March 4, military aircraft flights are restored

Kuçova air base, already transformed, is ready to open. From March, it will serve as NATO's tactical base in Albania.

The works that started in January 2022 are nearing completion. The investment, which is worth about 50 million euros, includes the reconstruction of the armament depots, the fuel stations, the armament stations, the aircraft parking lot, the station against breakdowns and fires, the reconstruction of the runway and the control tower.

"The Kuçova base was built in 1955, as the first Albanian air base to protect the airspace. Since 2005, this base has served mainly for the training of pilots of the armed forces of Albania. This investment turns it into a modern base, which enables the deployment of the alliance's air assets, which will serve for NATO's national and strategic operations in the Western Balkans."

Viktor Vangjeli has served as a pilot at the Kucova base for 27 years and says with conviction that this base turns Albania into a strategic point.

"It is a favorable position for the Balkans and the entire region. We have internal protection that the base is common."

The former pilot, now an 85-year-old pensioner, remembers his many flights.

"Meteorological conditions. They are very favorable, we flew both at night and during the day, even in the rain. You can sit even in 100 meters because it is flat."

Among the many flights, started in 1963, Viktor Vangjeli has kept only the beautiful memories, while he will not remember the difficulties of flying in the air.

"The first flight was a learning experience, definitely full of emotions. We loved the profession, we flew with a conscience."

"The base of the largest military alliance in the world is expected to have a positive impact not only in terms of security, but also for the small town of Kuçova. But what do the citizens of Kuçova think?"

"Do you think it will affect the economic and social development of Kuçova? We hope so."

"We hope there will be more employment, that's what we want."

"How much positive impact will it have? They are finishing the works and will leave. That's where the military will come now."

Over the years, Kučova families have produced generations of soldiers.

"I had my husband in the aviation factory. I also have the son there today. The son's daughter-in-law works with NATO in Poland, hopes to come and work here."

The base of Kuçova before the year 90 was a strategic point of the former Warsaw Treaty, an alliance of communist countries. Russian and Chinese planes used to fly there, while today they remain relics. Now the base of Kuçova has changed the page of history. It has been transformed into a modern base with all NATO standards and will be used by both the Right Alliance and the Albanian army./ Abcnews.al