Brüggen air base has been built in the 1950s for the Royal Air Force (RAF). Together with Geilenkirchen, Laarbruch and Wildenrath it belonged to the new airfields located left of the Rhein river, which by this situation were better protected against attacks from the east. Over the years, the RAF has stationed various units and aircraft types in Brüggen and flew here until the year 2001. This was followed by use by the British Army until 2015. Today the airfield is closed and the former barracks are under civilian administration.
During the Cold War
Use
Royal Air Force (RAF) airbase.
In the 1950s
Situation
RAF Brüggen on a map from 1956 - The approach areas of the three British airfields Brüggen, Wildenrath and Geilenkirchen are protected by restricted areas. The white "E" in the circle symbolizes the Eureka radio beacon, used by the British at this time. The square around the airport symbol with the "V" underneath shows an VHF direction finder. The black star stands for the coded beacons which is characteristical for British airfields
RAF Brüggen on a map of the US Department of Defense from 1972
Source: ONC E-2 (1972), Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection, University of Texas at Austin
In the 1980s and early 1990s
Situation
Aerial pictures, probably from the beginning of the 1990s. With comments from Jonathan, whom I thank sincerely.
RAF Brüggen airfield, probably in the early 1990s
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
Enlargement: Northeastern corner
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
Enlargement: Married quarters.
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
Enlargement: Barracks for unmarried personnel, with married quarters in the top right corner.
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
Enlargement: Northwestern part.
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
Enlargement: Western end of the runway - At the bottom right of the photograph is a part of the QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) with four of the six Hardened Aircraft Shelters (HAS).
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
Enlargement: Southwestern part - The pentagon-shaped area at the top right is the QRA. During the 1970s, each shelter contained one armed Jaguar. They were ready to take-off at five minute’s notice, in case of a surprise attack from the East. The reaction of the air/ground crews was tested at least once every 24 hours.
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
Enlargement: Explosive Storage Area
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
Enlargement: the so-called Supplementary Storage Area (SSA) on the southern site - This was known to most people as the Supplementary Storage Area in order to make it sound unimportant. In fact it was the Special Storage Area for nuclear weapons. It was subject to special security measures and surrounded by a ‘sterile area’ which is the 25m wide area of clear ground surrounding it.
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
Enlargement: Southeastern corner
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
Enlargement: English Electric Lightning?
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
Enlargement: Two Lightnings and a Hawker Hunter as decoy?
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
Enlargement: Half of a Lightning as decoy?
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
Enlargement: Glider
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
Enlargement: Gliders
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
Runways
09/27: 2487 m (8160 ft) Asphalt/Concrete
Lights
Red identification beacon with ident BG.
Radio beacons
NDB: 329 "BG", at field
TACAN: CH 126 "BGG", at field
ILS 27: 111.3 "BG"
Radio communication
Clutch Radar 298.0
Approach 354.2, 119.7, 130.8, 362.3
Radar (SRE) 283.2, 119.7, 344.0
Talkdown (PAR) 372.0, 130.5, 316.0, 123.3
Tower 284.8, 122.1, 257.8
Ground 379.9
Telephone
Civilian (02163) 881
Installations
Railway siding from the southeast from Wegberg.
The Outer Marker was located near the eastern edge of Schwalmtal.