Zweibrücken Air Base

Zweibrücken Air Base was a NATO air base in West Germany. It was located 35 miles SSW of Kaiserslautern and 2 miles mi SE of Zweibrücken. It was assigned to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) during its operational lifetime.The military facility was closed in 1991 after the Cold War ended, the site now serving as the civilian Zweibrücken Airport.UnitsMajor commands to which assigned Royal Canadian Air Force, January 6, 1953 – August 29, 1969 United States Air Force in Europe, August 29, 1969 – July 31, 1991Major USAF units assigned 7181st Combat Support Squadron, August 29 – November 1, 1969 86th Tactical Fighter Wing, November 1, 1969 – January 31, 1973 26th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, January 31, 1973 – July 31, 1991 10th Military Airlift Squadron, November 9, 1983 – July 31, 1991 609th Contingency Hospital, October 15, 1984 – July 31, 1991 601st Tactical Control Squadron, June 1, 1989 – July 31, 1991 612th Tactical Control Flight, June 1, 1989 – July 31, 1991ConstructionConstruction of the base was initiated by French Army engineers and German contractors in 1950 on a section of the former Siegfried Line. The crumpled remains of many of the bunkers of the old line are still in evidence. It was designed by French engineers and completed by German contractors in late 1952. Construction was funded from USAF sources; however, the RCAF assumed control of the Zweibrücken base on January 6, 1953.