Bardufoss Air Station

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Bardufoss Air Station (IATA: BDU, ICAO: ENDU) (Norwegian:Bardufoss flystasjon) is located in the municipality of Målselv in Troms county in Northern Norway. It is the location for the 139th Air Wing and two helicopter squadrons; the 337 Squadron operating Lynx MK 86 for the Norwegian Coast Guard and the 339 Squadron equipped with Bell 412SPs. It is also the base for the Royal Norwegian Air Force Flight Training School.

The airbase is also used by the civilian community: Norwegian Aviation College (NAC) is located at the airport, and there is also a flying club (Bardufoss Flyklubb) and a parachute jumping club. SAS Braathens currently operates three daily flights with various types of Boeing 737 aircraft from Bardufoss Airport to Oslo Airport, Gardermoen.

[edit] History

The first bits of the air station were constructed in 1938, ,making it the countries oldest air station still operational. During World War II, RAF Gloster Gladiators and Hawker Hurricanes operating from Bardufoss played a vital part in keeping the Luftwaffe at bay during the fighting on the Narvik front in the April-June 1940 Norwegian Campaign. After the allied withdrawal from Norway, the airbase was taken over by the Germans and mostly used as a base for fighters, bombers and reconnaissance planes operating against the Murmansk convoys. Fighters from Bardufoss also had the task of providing aerial support for naval operations in the area, but failed to scramble in time to prevent the battleship Tirpitz from being sunk by Avro Lancaster bombers at Håkøya near Tromsø. Luftwaffe ace Heinrich Ehrler was originally sentenced to death because of this, but was never executed: He died in combat when he rammed an American B-17 Flying Fortress over Germany.

The 339 Squadron was moved to Bardufoss in 1964 while the 337 Squadron came in 1983.

The Royal Norwegian Air Force Flight Training School was moved to Bardufoss from Trondheim Airport, Værnes in 2003.

[edit] Squadrons

339 Squadron Bell 412 helicopters taking part in the NATO exercise Strong Resolve 2002

Two squadrons of helicopters are stationed on this airfield: 337. with Lynx MK 86 (since 1983) and 339. with Bell 412SP (since 1964).

The 337 Squadron operates six Lynx MK 86 helicopters, which were delivered in 1983. Their purpose is to operate onboard Coast Guard ships. They will soon be replaced with eight new NH-90's.

The 339 Squadron operates twelve Bell 412SP, primarily used as support for the Royal Norwegian Army. The Bells were delivered in between 1987 and 1990. Previous to their delivery, the squadron operated UH-1's bought used from USA: some of those machines were received with minor battle damages and bullet holes, having seen action in the Vietnam war! The Royal Norwegian Air Force's six remaining Bells (making a total of 18) are stationed at the 720 Squadron at Rygge Air Station.

In addition, the Royal Norwegian Air Force Flight Training School is located here. The Flight Training School operates 16 Saab 91 Safir aircraft, acquired in 1981.

[edit] External links

• Picture and information regarding Bardufoss Airport from Avinor
• Norwegian Air Force; Bardufoss Airbase