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A short history of RAF Laarbruch
After the Berlin Airlift and the Korean War, NATO considered a Communist strike in Central Europe to be a real threat. They therefore decided to build up their strength and air power by constructing new airfields west of the Rhine.
The construction of Laarbruch airbase began in 1953. Wildenrath, Geilenkirchen and Brüggen had already been built and the old Luftwaffe airfield at Gütersloh had been modernised.
The Cold War had started. 
RAF Laarbruch began operations in November 1954. Before the end of the year three squadrons ( 69 Sqn, 71 Sqn and 541 Sqn )
arrived with their Meteors and Canberras. After the crisis in Czechoslovakia in 1968 , NATO improved its airfield defence capability, and in 1970 "C" Flt. of 25 Sqn were deployed to Laarbruch with Bloodhound Mk.2 Ground to Air missiles.
In 1971/72 Laarbruchs aircraft were also updated, seeing the end of the Canberra era and the start of the more potent Phantom and Buccaneer. In 1977 the Phantom was phased out and replaced by the Jaguar. The Buccaneer continued until 1984, when the first "State of the art" Tornados arrived. Four Tornado squadrons were stationed at Laarbruch at the same time (2 Sqn, 15 Sqn, 16 Sqn and 20 Sqn.). With the collapse of the Warsaw Pact on March 31st. 1991, the RAF started to stand down in Germany, and in 1992 RAF Gütersloh and Wildenrath were closed. The closure of RAF Laarbruch had been targeted for 1999. The last aircraft change came in 1992 with the phase out of the Tornados and the arrival of the Harriers. At the same time the Chinook and Puma helicopters arrived. The Gazelle helicopter was added in 1995. The year 1996 saw the departure of the helicopter squadrons. The Harrier squadrons finally departed in 1999. The final closure took place in November 1999, with the handing back of the airfield terrain to the German authorities. During its whole operational career RAF Laarbruch was ably supported with communications by No. 21 Signals Regiment, and defended, both with Air and Ground Defence, by the RAF Regiment (1 Sqn, 19 Sqn, 26 Sqn, 30 Sqn and 58 Sqn). Many of the Laarbruch based aircraft took part in NATO and other commitments such as:-
At its peak RAF Laarbruch sustained a population of up to 6.000 people, about 2.200 Servicemen/women and their families. Numerous married quarters were situated in Weeze and Goch. RAF Laarbruch was the largest employer in the area also employing around 600 civilians. Over a period of 45 years former foes became friends, and in 1974 RAF Laarbruch was granted the honour, the "Freedom of Weeze". This was the first time such an honour had been granted in Germany. During its Operational career, RAF Laarbruch was "Home" to the following squadrons:- RAF
RNLAF
420 MU Formed at Laarbruch on 31.12 1961 disbanded 01.01.1967
3 MFPS/U Reformed from 5 MFPS/U to support 31 Sqn 01.06.1956 disbanded 31.03.1971
6 MFPS/U Reformed at Laarbruch to support 69 Sqn 13.12.1954 moved to RAF Luqa 01.04.1958
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WINTER HITS HARD |
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