Altenstadt Air Base

Altenstadt Air Base is located approximately 1.3km northeast of the Upper Bavarian municipality of Altenstadt, Bavaria, Germany. The air base is operated by the German Army Aviation Corps.HistoryDuring World War II the airfield was used as a training centre for Anti-aircraft warfare.Following the foundation of the German Armed Forces in 1955 a training school for airborne troops was established at Altenstadt Air Base in 1956. In June 1993, the base was officially named Franz Josef Strauss Barracks after the former prime minister of Bavaria, who had served on the air base during World War II as an "officer for military spiritual guidance" (Offizier für wehrgeistige Führung). Since 1997 the school has been twinned with the French Army's École des troupes aéroportées (ETAP) in Pau.Current useAltenstadt Air Base is home of the German Army's School for Airborne Troops as well as a Bundeswehr Sports Promotion Section. Also stationed at the air base are parts of the Central Medical Services. Approximately 720 military personnel are employed at the air base.