Željava - 4868
POLITICAL REALITY
On last assembly of Cross-Border Council for Cooperation between Republic Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republic of Croatia was brought initiative to sell Zeljava Airbase on international tender. Government of Una-Sana Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina pays close up to 90.000 Euros for developing a project which includes blue print documentation, recovery of runway and demining airbase area. Aviation experts are stating that Zeljava Airbase will never again be a military airport. However, chances to reconstruct are possible especially runways and ground level airbase facilities.
With all aspects and location of underground complex, reconstruction would be too expensive and needless. Recovering of runways and other ground facilities could benefit to economies of both countries especially in development of domestic airlines industry, cargo and charter flights. This would contribute in tourism since near Zeljava Airbase are located National Park “Plitvice” and river Una.
AIRBASE CURRENT CONDITION
Entrances into underground complex are in good condition, while you go deeper inside you’ll notice tunnels are more or less heavily damaged with a lot of debris inside. Explosion blow out massive oil tank at the entrance No.#2. It is necessary to have basic speleological equipment since venting ports are destroyed and there might be lack of air.
Aircrafts parking positions are undamaged, while runways are damaged for any landing or take-off. In and around “Triangle” zone, you can find tunnel debris, garbage, aircraft and truck parts. All ground facilities are destroyed. Vegetation grows fast and entire area is rich with animals. Night flight lighting equipment still stays untouched at one runway. Recently, ramp is build from Croatian side to stop you entering into “Triangle” zone where most of entrances to underground complex are. You can enter in with Croatian border policy permission only.
Any attempt into underground complex carries two basic risks – gases and landfalls:
- There where huge number of oil and kerosene tanks. During explosions, big parts of gases that evaporate might be still inside tunnels. Consider to not bring inside any kind of open flame source, since any sparkle can be deadly
- During explosions, concrete were going down, so now it has minimal potential energy. If a person is 85 kilograms heavy (with minimum equipment), that is enough of kinetic energy to start moving debris and landfalls
If you want to enter into underground complex, do not go more than 100 meters deep. Anything deeper than that should be taken as a high-risk move and consideration that you are endangering your life.
