United States Air Force in France

United States Air Force in France

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict = Bases of the United States Air Force
in France

partof = the Cold War


caption = Map of NATO air bases in France
date = 1951-1966
place = France
territory =
result = US Withdrawal in accordance with French Withdrawal From NATO Integrated Military Structure
status =
combatant1 =
combatant2 =
combatant3 =
commander1 =
commander2 =
commander3 =
strength1 =
strength2 =
strength3 =
casualties1 =
casualties2 =
casualties3 =
notes =
During the early years of the Cold War, the United States Air Force deployed thousands of personnel and hundreds of combat aircraft to France to counter the buildup of Soviet forces in Eastern Europe.

The Cold War that developed in Europe during 1948 and escalated into the attempted seizure of West Berlin, convinced the western nations to form a common defense organization. Discussions led to a multinational defense agreement that evolved into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). A central NATO defense strategy was the use of tactical air power to offset the Soviet Union.

Due to the vulnerability of West Germany to Soviet attack, USAF planners did not want any new tactical air units moved into the US "Zone of Occupation" there. By 1950 , the United States Air Force in Europe (USAFE) wanted all tactical air units to be located west of the Rhine River to provide greater air defense warning time and France agreed to provide air base sites.

Between 1950 and 1967 the United States Air Force operated 11 Major Air Bases in France. They were:

* Bordeaux-Merignac Air Base
* Chambley-Bussieres Air Base
* Chateauroux-Deols Air Base
* Chaumont-Semoutiers Air Base
* Dreux-Louvillier Air Base
* Etain-Rouvres Air Base
* Evreux-Fauville Air Base
* Laon-Couvron Air Base
* Paris-Orly Air Base
* Phalsbourg-Bourscheid Air Base
* Toul-Rosieres Air Base

There were other communications sites, NATO Dispersed Operating Bases, Sub-Depots and minor facilities at several French Airports, such as Paris-Orly Airport and Marseille which are not shown on this map. The United States Army also established a significant presence in France, and was responsible for much of the construction and maintenance of the Air Bases established there.

The NATO Dispersed Operating Bases was a programme begun in 1953 by USAFE. They were constructed in France and were completed in about two years. Each was built to a standard NATO design of a convert|7900|ft|m|0|sing=on runway. Four DOBs were built for USAFE use. They were designed to have the capability to base about 30 aircraft, along with a few permanent buildings serviced with utilities and space for a tent city to house personnel.

The first NATO tenant in France was the USAF Military Air Transport Service (MATS) 1630th Air Base Squadron, activated in June 1950 at Paris - Orly Air Base. On 28 February 1958 the official name of Orly Air Base was changed to Orly Airport and most MATS flights were routed to Chateauroux-Deols Air Base.

After 15 years of bad and good times of USAFE basing in France, the end was decided by General Charles De Gaulle. On 7 March 1966, he announced that France would withdraw from NATO's integrated military structure but not leave the political organization. He gave NATO forces one year (until 1 April 1967) to depart France.

The State Department, Department of Defense (DOD), and Air Force carefully managed the news about the American departure from France, and the attendant problems of an integrated NATO air defense for western Europe and the decrease in tactical airpower. Fortunately for the State Department and the DOD, the media was focusing on Vietnam, so the removal of NATO forces from France went virtually unreported in the US.

During 1966-67 all USAF offices and facilities in France were closed and personnel and equipment moved to other NATO countries. The last USAFE activities were the 1630th Air Base Squadron at Orly Airport and the Paris Administration Office. Both were closed in June 1967. A C-47 variant, the C-117B "Super Skytrain" Serial 45-2549 departed from Orly on 31 May 1967. That was the last USAF aircraft to depart France.

On 23 October 1967, all foreign flags were furled and after 17 years all NATO forces departed France.

Today most of the old USAF air bases in France are being used by the French military and are not accessible to tourists.

ee also

* United States Air Forces In Europe

References

* Endicott, Judy G. (1999) Active Air Force wings as of 1 October 1995; USAF active flying, space, and missile squadrons as of 1 October 1995. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. CD-ROM.
* McAuliffe, Jerome J. (2005). US Air Force in France 1950-1967. San Diego, California: Milspec Press ISBN 0-9770371-1-8.
* Menard, David W. (1998) Before Centuries: USAFE Fighters, 1948-1959. Howell Press Inc. ISBN 1574270796
* Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0912799129.
* [http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/usafserials.html] USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers--1908 to Present

External links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • United States Air Force in Germany — Since 7 May 1945 The United States has maintained air bases in Germany initially beginning as postwar occupation forces. During the Cold War, the number of bases was expanded to support NATO. Today, only Ramstein Air Base and Spangdahlem Air Base …   Wikipedia

  • United States Air Force Security Forces — Security Forces Badge Active As Military Police (1942 1948) …   Wikipedia

  • United States Air Force, The — ▪ United States military (USAF),   one of the major components of the United States armed forces, with primary responsibility for air warfare, air defense, and the development of military space research. The Air Force also provides air services… …   Universalium

  • United States Air Force in Europe — United States Air Forces in Europe Sceau de l USAFE …   Wikipédia en Français

  • United States Air Force Thunderbirds — United States Air Force Thunderbirds …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • United States Air Force in the United Kingdom — Infobox Military Conflict conflict = Bases of the United States Air Force in the United Kingdom partof = the NATO Alliance caption = Map of current Royal Air Force stations used by the United States Air Forces In Europe. date = 1951 Present place …   Wikipedia

  • United States Air Force In South Korea — Infobox Military Conflict conflict = Bases of the United States Air Force in South Korea partof = Pacific Air Forces Seventh Air Force caption = Location of USAF bases in South Korea date = 1950 Present place = South Korea territory = result =… …   Wikipedia

  • United States Air Force — « USAF » redirige ici. Pour les autres significations, voir USAF (homonymie). United States Air Force …   Wikipédia en Français

  • United States Air Force In South Vietnam — Infobox Military Conflict conflict = Bases of the United States Air Force in South Vietnam (1961 1973) partof = Vietnam War caption = Map Of Major USAF bases in South Vietnam date = 1961 1973 place = Republic of Vietnam territory = result = US… …   Wikipedia

  • United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel — Infobox building building name = United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel caption = The Cadet Chapel building type = Chapel architectural style = Modern structural system = location = U.S. Air Force Academy,near Colorado Springs, CO… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”