Rayak Air Base is Lebanon's first air base and the place where the Lebanese Air Force was born on June 1, 1949. In the 1950's the RAF sent its own instructors to help the Lebanese Airforce. British families accompanied instructors. The base had connections with Airforce bases on Cyprus. It was an idyllic location situated very close to a vineyard which now supplies wines throughout Europe, including London. Located in the middle of the Bekaa Valley to the east, between the towns of Zahlé and Anjar, it symbolizes the Lebanese Air Force best and home for most of the aircraft types that have seen service and the final resting place for almost all retiring planes.The airfield has been in use since 1914 by various foreign forces such as German, Ottoman, British and French.HistoryRayak Air Base was constructed and used by the Germans in World War I. After liberation by the allies Armee d'l'air personnel trained Lebanese Air Force technicians in aircraft maintenance and on 1 August 1945, Lebanon took command of its armed forces, including Rayak air base.During the French Mandate of Lebanon, Rayak Air base was considered to be the "jewel" of the Air bases and the centre of attraction of all other military units, not only in Lebanon but also in mandated Syria and all the Near East. The base had many entertainment facilities, luxuries, flowering gardens, and central heating, which at that time were not found in military sites elsewhere in the region.