Have you ever wondered what secrets lie behind those towering fences? We’re standing right in front of Manyame Airbase, a place steeped in history and brimming with military might.
Manyame Airbase, formerly known as New Sarum Air Force Station, is one of the two main air bases for the Air Force of Zimbabwe. Located just outside Harare, it played a crucial role in the Rhodesian era and continues to be strategically important today.
In its early days, the Rhodesian Air Force often used borrowed facilities. But as the need for a dedicated airbase near the capital city, Salisbury (Harare) became increasingly obvious, the decision was made to build a new airfield at Kentucky Farm. This base, dubbed “New Sarum” in 1952, paid homage to the city’s sister city in England, Wiltshire.
The name, a twist on “Old Sarum”, a Royal Air Force station near Wiltshire, served as a fitting tribute to the close association with the British air force. Today, Manyame Airbase is a bustling hub of air activity, providing a home for various aircraft squadrons, training schools, and specialized units. Did you know it shares the world’s longest civil airport runway with Harare International Airport, measuring 15,510 feet long, or 2.42 miles? This runway is a marvel of modern flight, capable of accommodating even the largest aircraft.
Despite sharing the runway, Manyame Airbase remains a self-contained community with its own workshops, transport fleets, living quarters, and even sporting and entertainment facilities. The base serves as a critical hub for both technical and academic training, housing schools for technicians, security personnel, dog handlers, and the Air Force Regiment. From its humble beginnings as a temporary haven for aircraft to its current status as a modern and self-sufficient military installation, Manyame Airbase has witnessed the evolution of Zimbabwe’s air power. This place is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of the Air Force of Zimbabwe, a vital force in protecting Zimbabwe’s skies.