Zweibrücken Air Base

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Zweibrücken Air Base, or Zweibruecken Air Base, was a NATO air base outside the German city of Zweibrücken. Originally a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) base, it was taken over on September 1, 1968 by United States Air Forces in Europe. It closed in September of 1991.

1 Units
2 History
3 Traditions
4 Trivia
5 See also
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Units

The 26th SPS The 26th Security Police Squadron
10th Military Airlift Squadron (MAS) flew C-23A Sherpas from 1984 to 1991 as part of the European Distribution System (EDS)
86th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) (1966-1973)
- 17th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
- 81st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron flew the EF-4C Wild Weasel IV from 1973 until possibly 1979
26th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (1973-1991)
- 38th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron flew the RF-4C. (1971?-1991)

On the Northern side of Zweibrücken was Kreuzberg Kaserne, home to the U.S. Army Materiel Command, Europe (MATCOM). Matcom was replaced by the USA Material Management Agency, Europe in 1973.

[edit] History

It has been suggested that RCAF Station Zweibrücken be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)

Sortie Scoreboard, March 1991

Longtime base civilians Peter Hoffman and Walter Lauer in a typical French-built building used by 26th Supply's C Branch, Circa March 1991

Construction

After World War II the core of the base was constructed by the French. The French Military would not use the base.

Canadian Period

The base was used by the Royal Canadian Air Force. It was during this period that additional base housing was constructed. The Americans would refer to the original base housing as French Housing and the newer units as Canadian Housing.

1970s - mid 1980s The Best Kept Secret

With regular cookouts and other community activities, the base was a close-knit community that was fondly remembered by all who were there during the period.

Late 1980s The Sun Stops Shining

In the mid to late 1980s, morale began to slide. Explanations varied to explain this change. One story indicated a failed Tac Eval where a pilot ignored the mission and took photos of the wrong location. Other stories centered around an increasing reputation as a 'party base' and an unacceptable drop in performance.

With a new Wing commander in the late 1980s, things changed. The catchphrase became 'They call it Sunny Zwei, but you can never see the sun.' Increasingly, Pink Floyd's The Wall came to be seen as the base soundtrack, especially Stop and a one-word modification of Nobody Home emphasizing that there was only one channel on the TV to choose from.

The efforts to crack down on the lax atmosphere was also exacerbated by the pressure for reductions in force. Morale became much the inverse of what it had been, and at one point, 26th Supply had one third of its personnel facing active disciplinary action.

Salty Bee '89

This was the final occasion of joint activities with Zweibrücken's US-based sister base, Bergstrom.

Desert Shield

Impending war led to a partial improvement in morale, possibly boistered by the large number of reservists.

1991 Desert Storm

The wing was deployed without notice to Turkey. Two planes were not able to fly back to Germany.

September: Closure

[edit] Traditions

Before each exercise there was a Mobility Exercise. Nothing was simulated -- all mobility personnel participated and were armed and in full gear. During the 1989 Tac Eval, the inspection team was treated to the mobility team continuing to leave the base as would be conducted in the real world version of the scenario until halted. The only known item that had been simulated during this mobility exercise got a Lt. Colonel verbally chastised.

[edit] Trivia

The base did not have a commissary, but did have a BX and a Shopette.
The fuel depot was just inside the perimeter fence across from a public street, making it highly vulnerable to sabotage.
A totem pole commemorating the Canadians was erected in 1973.
The RF-4Cs flown during the final years of the base's operation were made between 1968 and 1972.
72-151 crashed in 1990; both pilots ejected safely.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

Fletcher, Harry R., Air Force Bases Volume II, Active Air Force Bases outside the United States of America on 17 September 1982, Office of Air Force History, 1989