Wheelus Air base, Tripoli, Libya

A video about wheelus air base was located about seven miles due east of Tripoli, the capital of Libya, Wheelus Air Base was originally built by the Italian Air Force as Mellaha AB in 1923. Captured by the British 8th Army in January 1943 during its battles with Erwin Rommel's Wehrmacht Afrika Korps, Mellaha was then used by the US Army Air Force (USAAF) as a base for B-17 and B-24 bomb missions to Italy and southern Germany.

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[jnichols3]

I have some 1957 8mm taken at Wheelus that I bought at an Estate Sale. It includes a performance by the Thunderbirds flying F-100's and A visit by then VP Richard Nixon. It also has lots of footage of a drive down Tripoli Streets including a mud brick Shell Station. It may be a while but I will post it when I get it converded to a digital format.

[TAR3K]

Please do, I am looking forward to that

[nowhine]

Thanks for a great video. I was stationed at Wheelus from April 1953 till September 1954. I was in the 34th RSM north east of the runway towards the beach. I found all of the squadron buildings on Google Earth. They are still standing.

[TAR3K]

Many thanks for your comment and the building are still there and I hope you will be able to visit Libya again and soon

[ElRapeo88]

This was a great video. It brought back lots of good memories of libya.

My Dad was stationed at Wheelus from 1965 to 1968.

My brothers and I would ride the bus to the stadium theater a couple times a day.

Then to the snack bar. Those were the days! And the beaches were beautiful.

Doris

[TAR3K]

I am glad I have done something you've liked and brought good memories

[TheArcticpuffin]

I was stationed at Wheelus air base from Sept. 1965 thru Dec. 26., 1967. i was attached to the 7272 group. I was an airman first class in charge of refueling maint. Two of the fellows that I worked with where Pete Brewer and Tom Clapp. Also one Libya by the name of Freg..

[garytackett11]

@LonghornPeterson - hi - i was at wheelus from 63 thru 65 - i was in the army outfit - i have a picture of the base hospital - you didnt really get to know what a nice place wheelus was - thanks gary tackett

[daddyrickcr]

My last name is wheelus

[LonghornPeterson]

@LonghornPeterson

There was 4 of children, my dad is Joe Brickey

[LonghornPeterson]

Does anyone have a pic of the Hospital? I was born there in 1964. My dad was in Communications/Radio. We were there for 3 years.

[TheSanityInspector]

Very interesting, thanks. 

[snowdragon222]

@nowhine, I was born at Wheelus AFB in sept 1954. Small world.

[RLM522]

Thank you for posting this video -- I can see from my father's own movies from 1954 when he was at Wheelus that Tripoli was a very beautiful city. I have posted some of his video of an air base ("Is this Wheelus AFB?") in case any of you might recognize the air base. I don't know if it is Wheelus or Sidi Slimane -- he was at both.

[ElRapeo88]

My father's name was james colfer. He was married to doris. With 4 kids.

[jmkmt54]

@VEEVEE1954 I was stationed at Wheelus Air Base from 1964 until 1966, Was your father's name VV Gibson , Married to Elaine with two children, John Mark and Cindy? If so please let me know. John Matthews