Brüggen: Air Base

RAF Bruggen, Elmpt Station, Javelin Barracks

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN511160 E0060802 (WGS84) Google Maps
Elevation 241 ft
Federal stateNordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia)
RegionNiederrhein
Location indicatorDABR (195x), EDUR (196x-1995), ETUR (1995-2001)
Map with location of RAF Brüggen, Germany
Germany during the Cold War Map
The history of the Cold War airfields: Brüggen

General

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

Map with RAF Brüggen 1956
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

Lights

Red identification beacon with ident BG.

Radio beacons

  • NDB: 357 "BG"

Radio communication

  • Approach 102.6
  • Tower 117.9, 121.5, 110.16, 102.6, 111.42, 114.66, 108.9

In the 1970s

Situation

RAF Brüggen on a map from 1972
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.
Aerial picture of RAF Brüggen Germany
RAF Brüggen airfield, probably in the early 1990s
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
Royal Air Force Bruggen
Enlargement: Northeastern corner
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
Barracks of Bruggen airfield
Enlargement: Married quarters.
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
Barracks of Bruggen air base
Enlargement: Barracks for unmarried personnel, with married quarters in the top right corner.
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
RAF Brüggen
Enlargement: Northwestern part.
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
Runway of Brüggen airfield
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
Brüggen Air Base
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
Dumps at Brüggen
Enlargement: Explosive Storage Area
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
Brüggen Special / Nuclear Weapons Site
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
RAF Station Bruggen
Enlargement: Southeastern corner
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
English Electric Lightning at RAF Brüggen
Enlargement: English Electric Lightning?
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
Hawker Hunter at RAF Brüggen
Enlargement: Two Lightnings and a Hawker Hunter as decoy?
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
English Electric Lightning as decoy
Enlargement: Half of a Lightning as decoy?
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
Runway and glider at Brüggen Air Base
Enlargement: Glider
Source: GeoBasis / Land NRW (2017), Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0
Gliders at RAF Brüggen
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.

Today

Use

Closed.

Situation

Aerial view of RAF Brüggen today
Aerial view of former RAF Brüggen today

Sources

Recommended

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