Type Military Airfield Battles/wars Cold War | In use 1953-1967 Address 08250 Séchault, France | |
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Vouziers-Sechault Air Base is an abandoned military airfield in France near Vouziers (Departement des Ardennes in the Champagne-Ardenne region), located approximately 15 miles north-northwest of Sainte-Menehould (Departement de la Marne,Champagne-Ardenne); 117 miles east-northeast of Paris.
History
Vouziers-Sechault Air Base's origins begin in 1950 when, with the Cold War, NATO faced several problems when attempting to solve the air power survival equation. Planning for first strike survival in both conventional and nuclear wars had to be considered.
The primary operating bases for NATO air forces were built on small parcels of land with very limited dispersal space. It was decided to build dispersal bases away from the primary bases to be used in the event of an emergency. Vouziers was selected to be one of these "NATO Dispersed Operating Bases".
No flying unit was ever permanently assigned to Vouziers and it was used for dispersal training only. However, it did require the same level of equipment as a standard air base. NATO security personnel were required to control base access, guard equipment, munitions and supplies stored on the facility, as well as prevent vandalism.
Construction began in 1953, and Vouziers Air Base was designed for 50 fighters with three large hangars constructed. In 1957 construction was completed and Det #2, 49th Air Base Group from Étain-Rouvres Air Base was designated as the host unit. Aircraft from the 388th and 49th Fighter-Bomber Wings at Etain exercised at the base from 1957 through 1959.
The base was deactivated on 1 September 1959 and the facility was maintained by Det #6, 7514th Support Group from Toul-Rosières Air Base briefly before turning the facility over to the French Air Force.
The French Air Force used the base initially for flight training, however flight operations ended in 1980 and it was developed as a facility for rapid runway repair. In 2004 the base was deactivated and was placed in reserve status.