Aviano Air Base
Albania turns an old Soviet-era air base into a regional hub of NATO air operations
NATO member Albania on Monday inaugurated a refurbished Soviet-era air base, the alliance's first in the Western Balkan region.
The air base is named after the small town of Kucova, 85 kilometers (52 miles) south of the capital Tirana.
Officials said the new air base will serve as a modern hub of operations, for training and hosting an array of fighter jets.
Albania, wary of Russia, reopens Soviet-era air base to NATO
NATO member Albania, which has no fighter jets of its own, opened a rebuilt Soviet-era air base to serve NATO aircraft on Monday amid an increased threat from Russia, Prime Minister Edi Rama said.