Chambley-Bussières Air Base: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Flag_of_France.svg|right|150px|]] |
[[Image:Flag_of_France.svg|right|150px|]] |
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'''Chambley-Bussieres Air Base''' is a former USAF base in France. |
'''Chambley-Bussieres Air Base''' is a former USAF base in France. It is located about ten miles west of the French city of Metz, and just south of the road leading to Verdun near France’s strategic northeastern border with Luxembourg, Belgium, and Germany. |
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During the Cold War, Chambley-Bussieres was a front-line base for the [[United States Air Force in Europe]] (USAFE). |
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== Origins == |
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In 1951 as a result of the [[Cold War]] threat of the [[Soviet Union]], Chambley-Bussieres was provided to the [[United States Air Force by the French]] as part of their [[NATO]] comittment. Construction of the base on former farmland started started in 1952, although construction delays prevented the facility from being ready for wing operations until mid-1955. |
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== United States Air Force Use == |
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== 21st Fighter-Bomber/Tactical Fighter Wing == |
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The first USAF unit to use Chambley AB was the [[21st Figher-Bomber Wing]], being transferred from [[George Air Force Base|George AFB]], California. The wing’s deployment to France had to be carried out in stages. Four echelons of wing personnel variously traveled by train, ship, and air to reach Chambley between November 1954 and January 1955. The 21st FBW officially established it's headquarters on 12 Dec 1954. |
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The 21st FBW consisted of three air squadrons, the 72nd, 416th and 531st Fighter-Bomber Squadrons, equipped with the [[F-86|F-86F "Sabre"]]. Upon their arrival, the facilites at Chambley were not ready for aircraft use, and the squadrons had to deploy elsewhere. The 72nd deployed to [[Chateauroux-Deols Air Base|Chateauroux AB]], while the 416th and 531st operated out of alternate fields in Germany. |
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After many delays, the wing combined it's figher squadrons at Chambley on 15 Apr 1957. The squadrons carried out close air support training missions with the Army, then took first place at the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) "Gunnery Meet" at Wheelus Field in Libya, North Africa. The 21st FBW participated in the atomic warfare exercise "Carte Blanche," and went on to take an overall second place in the Nellis AFB, Nevada "Gunnery Meet" in 1956. Morever, they won the USAFE "Award for Tactical Proficiency" for the January-June period of 1957. |
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In 1957, the French Government decreed that all nuclear weapons and delivery aircraft had to be removed from French soil by July 1958. As a result, the F-86's of the 21st Tactical Figher Wing had to be deployed from France. During October 1957 it was announced that the wing would be inactivated on 8 February 1958, and that its assets would be dispersed among existing USAFE units. |
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With the departure of the 21st TFW, Chambley-Bussieres AB was placed in reserve status. |
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== 1961 Berlin Crisis == |
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On 1 October 1961, as a result of the Berlin crisis, the mobilzed Air National Guard (ANG) 7122nd Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional) deployed to Chambley with it's flying component, the 163rd TFS. |
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As the Berlin situation subsided, all activated ANG units were ordered to be returned to the United States and released from active duty during the summer of 1962. |
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== 366th Tactical Fighter Wing == |
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The 366th Tactical Fighter Wing was activated on 8 May 1962. One of it's squadrons was at [[Chaumont-Somuntiers Air Base|Chaumont AB]], the other squadron at Chambley. The 366th operated until July 1963 since it had conventional weapons capability only. |
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== 25th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing == |
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The 25th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing was activated on 1 October 1965, flying RB-66B/C/E "Destroyers" at Chambley AB with two squadrons, the 19th and 42nd. The squadrons were transferred from [[Toul-Rosieres Air Base|Toul-Rosieres AB]], where they operated as a detachment of the 10th TRW, based at [[RAF Alconbury]], UK. |
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The 19th TRSq had day and night photography tasking, while the 42nd TRSq flew tactical electronic warfare missions. |
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On 7 March 1966, French President Charles De Gaulle announced that France would withdraw from NATO's integrated military military structure. The United States was informed that it must remove it's military forces from France by 1 April 1967. With France's withdrawl, Chambley AB was closed and the 25th TRW was inactivated. |
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Its RB-66s were returned to CONUS, being assigned to the 363rd TRW, Shaw AFB, SC. Some of the aircrews were sent directly Southeast Asia, being assigned to the 41st Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (TEWS), Takhli Royal Thai AFB (RTAFB) Thailand. |
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== Current Uses == |
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Chambley AB is being developed into a commercial business park. Many old buildings and hangars exist, and runways and aprons are usable. |
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Large hot air balloon contests have been held at Chambley over the years. |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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[[Category:Defunct U. S. Air Force bases]] |
[[Category:Defunct U. S. Air Force bases]] |
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Revision as of 01:19, 10 March 2006
Chambley-Bussieres Air Base is a former USAF base in France. It is located about ten miles west of the French city of Metz, and just south of the road leading to Verdun near France’s strategic northeastern border with Luxembourg, Belgium, and Germany.
During the Cold War, Chambley-Bussieres was a front-line base for the United States Air Force in Europe (USAFE).
Origins
In 1951 as a result of the Cold War threat of the Soviet Union, Chambley-Bussieres was provided to the United States Air Force by the French as part of their NATO comittment. Construction of the base on former farmland started started in 1952, although construction delays prevented the facility from being ready for wing operations until mid-1955.
United States Air Force Use
21st Fighter-Bomber/Tactical Fighter Wing
The first USAF unit to use Chambley AB was the 21st Figher-Bomber Wing, being transferred from George AFB, California. The wing’s deployment to France had to be carried out in stages. Four echelons of wing personnel variously traveled by train, ship, and air to reach Chambley between November 1954 and January 1955. The 21st FBW officially established it's headquarters on 12 Dec 1954.
The 21st FBW consisted of three air squadrons, the 72nd, 416th and 531st Fighter-Bomber Squadrons, equipped with the F-86F "Sabre". Upon their arrival, the facilites at Chambley were not ready for aircraft use, and the squadrons had to deploy elsewhere. The 72nd deployed to Chateauroux AB, while the 416th and 531st operated out of alternate fields in Germany.
After many delays, the wing combined it's figher squadrons at Chambley on 15 Apr 1957. The squadrons carried out close air support training missions with the Army, then took first place at the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) "Gunnery Meet" at Wheelus Field in Libya, North Africa. The 21st FBW participated in the atomic warfare exercise "Carte Blanche," and went on to take an overall second place in the Nellis AFB, Nevada "Gunnery Meet" in 1956. Morever, they won the USAFE "Award for Tactical Proficiency" for the January-June period of 1957.
In 1957, the French Government decreed that all nuclear weapons and delivery aircraft had to be removed from French soil by July 1958. As a result, the F-86's of the 21st Tactical Figher Wing had to be deployed from France. During October 1957 it was announced that the wing would be inactivated on 8 February 1958, and that its assets would be dispersed among existing USAFE units.
With the departure of the 21st TFW, Chambley-Bussieres AB was placed in reserve status.
1961 Berlin Crisis
On 1 October 1961, as a result of the Berlin crisis, the mobilzed Air National Guard (ANG) 7122nd Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional) deployed to Chambley with it's flying component, the 163rd TFS.
As the Berlin situation subsided, all activated ANG units were ordered to be returned to the United States and released from active duty during the summer of 1962.
366th Tactical Fighter Wing
The 366th Tactical Fighter Wing was activated on 8 May 1962. One of it's squadrons was at Chaumont AB, the other squadron at Chambley. The 366th operated until July 1963 since it had conventional weapons capability only.
25th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing
The 25th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing was activated on 1 October 1965, flying RB-66B/C/E "Destroyers" at Chambley AB with two squadrons, the 19th and 42nd. The squadrons were transferred from Toul-Rosieres AB, where they operated as a detachment of the 10th TRW, based at RAF Alconbury, UK.
The 19th TRSq had day and night photography tasking, while the 42nd TRSq flew tactical electronic warfare missions.
On 7 March 1966, French President Charles De Gaulle announced that France would withdraw from NATO's integrated military military structure. The United States was informed that it must remove it's military forces from France by 1 April 1967. With France's withdrawl, Chambley AB was closed and the 25th TRW was inactivated.
Its RB-66s were returned to CONUS, being assigned to the 363rd TRW, Shaw AFB, SC. Some of the aircrews were sent directly Southeast Asia, being assigned to the 41st Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (TEWS), Takhli Royal Thai AFB (RTAFB) Thailand.
Current Uses
Chambley AB is being developed into a commercial business park. Many old buildings and hangars exist, and runways and aprons are usable.
Large hot air balloon contests have been held at Chambley over the years.