NATO practices nuclear weapons emergency: This is where the German Luftwaffe's nuclear fighter jets are supposed to be

Created: 2022-10-17 21:14

By: Patrick Mayer

Are American nuclear weapons stationed there?

Büchel Air Base in the Eifel.

(Archive photo) © Thomas Frey/dpa

NATO is holding maneuvers to defend alliance territory with nuclear weapons.

The German Air Force is also involved.

Tornados are ready for emergencies at a Bundeswehr air base.

Munich/Büchel - It takes place every year in October: the "Steadfast Noon" exercise of the transatlantic defense alliance NATO to simulate the use of nuclear weapons.

NATO nuclear weapons exercise: German Air Force is involved in "Steadfast Noon".

According to the alliance, up to 60 aircraft will be involved in the maneuver, which began on Monday (October 17), over the next two weeks - including modern fighter jets, but also surveillance and tanker aircraft and B-52 long-range bombers.

The scene should be the airspace over Belgium, Great Britain and the North Sea.

The German Air Force is also involved in the regular exercise, which NATO says is not a reaction to the Ukraine war, in which Russia is now apparently also using Iranian-made kamikaze drones.

"The exercise, which runs until October 30, is a routine, recurring training measure that is not related to current world events," said NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu: "This exercise helps ensure that the Alliance nuclear deterrent remains safe and effective.”

In the video: NATO begins nuclear weapons exercise - including the German Air Force

NATO exercise: US nuclear weapons are to be stored in Büchel in Rhineland-Palatinate

According to the agency, the maneuvers include practicing how US nuclear weapons stationed in Europe are safely transported from underground magazines to the aircraft and mounted under the fighter jets.

However, the practice flights are then flown without the bombs.

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According to unconfirmed information, US nuclear weapons are said to be stored in northern Italy, Belgium, Turkey, the Netherlands and in Büchel in the Eifel region of Rhineland-Palatinate.

Germany has PA-200 Tornado fighter jets ready for this.

In the past, neither the Americans nor the federal government had confirmed that nuclear weapons were being stored on German soil.

They are said to be in an underground ammunition depot under the German Air Force air base in Büchel.

The newspaper

wrote about this in 2014, citing the disclosure platform Wikileaks.

Büchel Air Base

The air base of the German Air Force is located near Büchel in the district of Cochem-Zell in Rhineland-Palatinate and serves as a base for the Tactical Air Force Squadron 33 (TaktLwG 33).

Since 2004, the Bundeswehr airfield is said to be the only location in Germany where US nuclear weapons are still stored.

These can probably be mounted on site under PA-200 Tornado fighter jets.

The French air force (Armée de l'air & de l'espace) had built the military airfield during the occupation period between 1954 and 1955.

In 1957 the air base was handed over to the newly founded German Air Force.

The 33rd Fighter-Bomber Squadron stationed there has been under NATO control since December 1958.

US nuclear weapons in Germany: Luftwaffe provides fighter jets - the Americans the bombs

As recently as 2008, a letter from the German Bundestag on “nuclear participation and international law” stated: “In Germany, American nuclear weapons (approximately 10 to 20 units) are only stored in Büchel, Rhineland-Palatinate.

As part of nuclear sharing, the USA is providing the weapons, Germany the delivery system and the crew.

Therefore, the German Air Force is practicing the use of nuclear weapons with a squadron of MRCA Tornado fighter aircraft suitable for this role.”

The letter goes on to say: "The basic purpose of the nuclear armed forces of the Allies is of a political nature: maintaining peace and preventing (...) any kind of war." Location.

Should be able to carry "smaller" nuclear weapons: A Tornado fighter jet of Fighter-Bomber Squadron 33 from Büchel in the Eifel.

© IMAGO / Norbert Fellechner

Special assets of the Bundeswehr: Air Force stationed new F-35 fighter jets in Büchel

As part of the special fund for the Bundeswehr (100 billion euros) after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, the Ministry of Defense had announced the procurement of 35 F-35 fighter jets.

The stealth jet is considered the most modern combat aircraft in the world.

A spokesman for the Federal Office for Infrastructure, Environmental Protection and Services of the Bundeswehr informed the German Press Agency

with: "The Air Force plans to station all 35 F-35 A to be procured after the progress/completion of the construction work at Büchel Air Base." Apparently, the F-35, which can carry "smaller" atomic bombs, are supposed to replace the Tornados in Büchel.