🇮🇱 Nevatim Air Base

Nevatim Air Base (LLNV, VTM) is an Israeli Air Force (IAF) base located 15 km east-southeast of Beersheba in the northern Negev desert,.

Type of facility and operations: It is one of the largest airbases in Israel and serves as a hub for stealth fighter jets, transport aircraft, tanker aircraft, and electronic reconnaissance/surveillance operations,. The base hosts three squadrons of F-35I Adir aircraft, transport squadrons with C-130J-30 and C-130H aircraft, and tanker aircraft (Boeing 707s, to be replaced by Boeing KC-46A Gideon),. Additionally, it houses the 122 Squadron, which operates Gulfstream jets for electronic intelligence and airborne early warning,. Nevatim is also the home base for the "Wing of Zion," a converted Boeing 767 used by the President or Prime Minister of Israel for international visits,.

Notable features or history: The site's history dates back to 1947 with a rough runway for the Sherut Avir,. The modern airbase was constructed between 1980 and 1983 with joint Israeli and US funding, as part of the IAF's redeployment from the Sinai Peninsula after its return to Egypt,. In 2008, it integrated military transport and tanker units previously stationed at Lod Airbase,. The base features three operational runways, with the southern runway, completed in 2008, being 3,900 meters long,. A flight simulator for F-35I pilots is also installed at Nevatim.

Current status: Nevatim Air Base remains a critical and active military facility for the Israeli Air Force. While there were past discussions and proposals for dual military and civilian use, or for it to become an international airport for Beersheba, these plans were ultimately superseded. In July 2025, it was reported that a new international airport would be built at the Ziklag archaeological site, and Israel's National Planning and Construction Council approved reviews for two international airports at Ramat David and Ziklag, indicating that additional civilian use of Nevatim Air Base is no longer being considered. The base is open to the public for airport use.

*Sources researched: en.wikipedia.org, thepilotsdesk.com, globalmilitary.net, flightradar24.com, skyvector.com*