There was a U.S. Air Force base in Libya in 1958. Wheelus Air Base, located near Tripoli, was an American airbase in Libya that was in use from 1945 until 1970. During the 1950s, it was a Strategic Air Command base for bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. It also served as a training ground due to its favorable flying weather. The base was eventually closed and handed back to the Libyan government in June 1970 following the rise of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.