Vitry-Brienne Air Base
| Vitry-Brienne Air Base | |
|---|---|
|
Part of United States Air Forces in Europe   Vitry-Brienne Air Base | |
| Coordinates | 48°25′44″N 004°28′49″E / 48.42889°N 4.48028°E |
| Type | Military Airfield |
| Site history | |
| In use | 1953-1967 |
| Battles/wars | Cold War |
Vitry-Brienne Air Base is an abandoned military airfield in France, located approximately 17 miles northwest of Bar-sur-Aube (Departement de l'Aube,Champagne-Ardenne); 85 miles east-southeast of Paris.
History
Vitry-Brienne Air Base's origins begin in 1950 when, with the Cold War, NATO intended the base to be a main United States Air Force operating base for USAFE and construction began in 1953. However, because the USAF could not decide what type of wing should be assigned there, by 1956 it was decided to use the base as a NATO Dispersed Operating Base, to be used in the event of an emergency.[1]
No flying unit was ever permanently assigned to Brienne and it was used for dispersal training only. However, it did require the same level of equipment as a standard air base. NATO security personnel were required to control base access, guard equipment, munitions and supplies stored on the facility, as well as prevent vandalism.[1]
Construction began in 1953, and Brienne Air Base was designed for 50 fighters with three large hangars constructed. By 1956 it was decided not to deploy another wing to France and utilize the nearly completed facility as a DOB for the 48th Fighter-Bomber Wing at Chaumont-Semoutiers Air Base. Det #1, 48th Air Base Group from Chaumont AB was designated as the host unit on 1 May 1958 and the facility was used by 48th FBW aircraft starting in September.[1]
The base was deactivated on 25 October 1959 and the facility was maintained by 7544th Support Group from Chaumont AB until September 1961 to the United States Army where it became an aircraft depot for light fixed wing aircraft and helicopters.[1]
The Army turned over the base to French control on 24 June 1965 and in 1970 it was purchased by the Brienne Chamber of Commerce and later sold to private developers. It has been used by various groups for sport aviation, sky diving and soaring. In addition, an aviation museum has been established in the old USAF hangars.[1]
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.