"Air Defender" and much more at the Lechfeld Air Base
Created: 2022-12-08 3:12 p.m
By: Toni Schwaiger
Although the Airbus A400M (photo) is not stationed at Lechfeld, the air base remains of great interest to the Bundeswehr.
© Ralf Hirschberger
Lechfeld - Even after the decision of the Federal Ministry of Defense to no longer consider Lechfeld as a second location for the fleet of A400M transport aircraft, the location is to be retained in its current function.
Two major construction projects involving investments in the millions underscore the importance.
As was learned today in a press conference, the airfield will also be used intensively in the first half of the year.
The decision to station all A400M aircraft in Wunstorf / Lower Saxony goes back to the general refusal to set up a multinational transport unit (MNAU).
However, the location remains open for future stationing decisions that are not yet foreseeable.
Two major construction sites are currently underway in the Lechfeld barracks: the new medical supply center is scheduled to open next summer to replace the old one.
Around seven million euros are being invested here.
Construction work on the building for the leadership support sector, which is being relocated from Fürstenfeldbruck to Lechfeld, also recently began.
The Bundeswehr is investing 30 million here by the time the facility goes into operation in 2026.
Germany's largest military airfield is still of great importance.
On the one hand as an alternative airfield for the Eurofighters of the Tactical Air Force Squadron 74 in Neuburg/Donau.
Due to runway renovation work in Neuburg, the Eurofighters will be relocated to Lechfeld from mid-April to mid-May next year.
On the other hand, ETSL, as the field is abbreviated internationally, is a temporary deployment site for international armed forces, above all the Italian Air Force with the Tornados.
The Italians have already registered for three slots of 14 days each in the coming year.
The large-scale, multinational exercise Air Defender 2023 is scheduled for June 2023.
Eight to twelve US Air Force fighter jets and 200 soldiers are stationed at Lechfeld.
Two rounds per day, each with eight aircraft, are planned (comparable to the flight program of the Italian Air Force).
The necessary logistics are handled weeks in advance using the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.
In addition, around 100 of our own staff will be relocated to Lechfeld to provide support.
Most of the accommodation is in hotels.
The Air Force is already asking for your understanding for the increased flight operations during Air Defender, during which the competencies of the NATO air forces and transatlantic security are to be strengthened.
(mjk)
