Vitry-Brienne Air Base
Encyclopedia
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
.
, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, located approximately 17 miles northwest of Bar-sur-Aube
Bar-sur-Aube
Bar-sur-Aube is a commune of France in the Aube department, of which it is a sub-prefecture.-Population:The inhabitants of the commune are called Baralbains.-Culture:*Market every Saturday morning in the halls...
(Departement de l'Aube,Champagne-Ardenne); 85 miles east-southeast of Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.
History
Vitry-Brienne Air Base's origins begin in 1950 when, with the Cold WarCold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
, NATO intended the base to be a main United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
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.
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.
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.
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
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
where it became an aircraft depot for light fixed wing aircraft and helicopters.
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.