Mustrak Air Base

The air base was closed as part of the large-scale military restructuring and downsizing of the Bulgarian Armed Forces following the end of the Cold War. The strategic realignment, budget cuts, and the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact rendered the base obsolete in its original role. The last active unit was disbanded, and flight operations ceased.

The site is decommissioned and largely abandoned. While the main runway, taxiways, and numerous hardened aircraft shelters (HAS) remain structurally intact, they are in a state of significant disrepair with vegetation growing through the concrete. A large portion of the former air base has been repurposed for a photovoltaic power plant (solar farm), with solar panels covering extensive areas adjacent to the old taxiways. The remaining parts of the base are derelict and are sometimes used for unauthorized local activities like car races or driver training.

Mustrak Air Base was a key frontline air base for the Bulgarian Air Force during the Cold War. Constructed in the mid-1950s, it was strategically located just kilometers from the borders of NATO members Greece and Turkey. It primarily housed the 21st Fighter Aviation Regiment (21-ви изтребителен авиационен полк), which was equipped with Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21bis fighter aircraft. The base's main role was air defense and interception on the southern flank of the Warsaw Pact, maintaining a high state of readiness against potential NATO incursions. Its hardened aircraft shelters and extensive infrastructure were typical of a high-importance Warsaw Pact forward operating base.

There are no known official plans or prospects for reopening Mustrak Air Base for any aviation purposes, either military or civilian. The extensive and permanent development of a large-scale solar farm on the property makes a future conversion back to an active airfield highly unlikely and economically unfeasible.