Ambérieu-en-Bugey Air Base

Ambérieu-en-Bugey Air Base

Base aérienne 278 Ambérieu-en-Bugey

Jodel D140C Mousquetaire
IATA: noneICAO: LFXA
Summary
Airport type Military/Civil Joint Use
Owner Government of France
Operator Armée de l'air
Location Ambérieu-en-Bugey, France
Elevation AMSL 823 ft / 251 m
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
01/19 6,562 2,000 Asphalt
02/20 2,525 800 Turf
Source:World Aero Data [1]
Ambérieu-en-Bugey AB
Location of Ambérieu-en-Bugey Air Base, France

Ambérieu-en-Bugey Air Base (French: Base aérienne 278 Ambérieu-en-Bugey) (ICAO: LFXA) is a front-line French Air Force (French: Armée de l'Air (ALA) base located approximately 5 km north-northwest of Ambérieu-en-Bugey in the department of Ain in eastern France.

Contents

Overview

Ambérieu-en-Bugey Air Base is a primary a depot repair and supply center of electronic equipment on board aircraft and ground telecommunication equipment and detection aids to navigation and the manufacture of simple equipment.

It also supports calibration and repair of all devices for measuring the Air Force and the manufacture and repair of security equipment, rescue and survival of pilots.

Ambérieu has two Jodel D140C Mousquetaire aircraft assigned for courier duty.

World War II

The air base was constructed during World War II as all-weather temporary field built by the United States Army Air Forces XII Engineer Command during late August 1944 after German forces were removed from the area. It was built on a graded surface using Pierced Steel Planking for runways and parking areas, as well as for dispersal sites. In addition, tents were used for billeting and also for support facilities; an access road was built to the existing road infrastructure; a dump for supplies, ammunition, and gasoline drums, along with a drinkable water and minimal electrical grid for communications and station lighting. The airfield was known as Ambérieu Airfield or Advanced Landing Ground Y-5.

It was turned over for operational use by Twelfth Air Force on 6 September. The 324th Fighter Group, which flew P-40 Warhawks from the field during September 1944, after which it moved up to Tavaux. Once the P-47s moved out, Ambérieu Airfield became a rear area support base operated by the 1st Air Service Squadron for transport aircraft moving supplies and equipment to the front.

With the end of the war in Europe in May, 1945 the Americans began to withdraw their aircraft and personnel. Control of the airfield was turned over to French authorities on 29 May 1945.[1]

See also

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

  1. ^  This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
    • Maurer, Maurer. Air Force Combat Units of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1983. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.
    • Mauer, Mauer (1969), Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II, Air Force Historical Studies Office, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. ISBN 0-89201-097-5
    • Johnson, David C. (1988), U.S. Army Air Forces Continental Airfields (ETO), D-Day to V-E Day; Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center, Maxwell AFB, Alabama.

External links