history & nature
From tethered balloons and biplanes to helicopters and jets History of the airfield and aviation in Grafenwoehr
Hammergmuend airfield In 1913, two biplane aircraft were stationed in their own aircraft shed for the first time near Hammergmuend, where the airfield is still located today. The outbreak of World War I forced aviation. When the USA entered the war in 1917, Germany also had to expand its flying capacities. In 1917 the decision was made to
History of the Training Area “Grafenwoehr Training Area, Yesterday - Today” is the title of the bi-lingual book written by Reserve Sgt. Major Gerald Morgenstern. A new edition was released in December 2018. On 288 pages with more than 800 photos, it does not only tell the history of the training area since 1910 but also covers the development of the training area in recent years. The book also includes greetings by US Army commanders and the development of Hohenfels Training Area. In a detailed chapter, the history of aviation and the airfield in Grafenwoehr is portrayed. “Grafenwoehr Training Area, Yesterday - Today” is available in bookstores and at various sales locations on and off post. For more information, visit us on Facebook at “Grafenwoehr Training-Area Book,” or by sending an e-mail to morgenstern.gerald@t-online.de. The book may also be ordered online. | by Gerald Morgenstern
upgrade the Hammergmuend air base to a provisional artillery aviation station. As early as 1918 it was expanded into an artillery observer school. After World War I, Germany was banned from military aviation and all installations were demolished. It was not until the 1930s that the airfield was used again. The airfield was expanded during the time of the Wehrmacht. With the construction of the southern camp in Vilseck, a runway was also built near Heringnohe. At times the Messerschmitt company had its own branch there. US airfield The Grafenwoehr airfield has been under the administration of American troops since 1945. It was also modernized under their direction. During the last major renovation, the tower was relocated, a larger forecourt was created, environmental renovations were carried out, the runway is currently being renewed. The Grafenwoehr airfield is suitable for visual and instrument flight and is therefore fully suitable for night flight. The military airfield is equipped with the most modern technical equipment. An airfield fire brigade is ready for emergencies. The airfield has been operated accident-free for decades. The ambulance helicopters of the DUSTOFF troops are constantly stationed on the airfield. Hercules and parachutists Propeller-driven aircraft up to the size of the US military transport aircraft C-130 Hercules can land and take off on the approximately 1,200-meter-long runway. The use of jet aircraft is only possible and intended for Lear Jets. The runway is too short for fighter jets. A Starfighter that crashed in the 1960s had to be transported away again by low loader. be transported again. Hercules aircraft and Chinook helicopters landing and taking off in Grafenwoehr pick up parachutists from the Sky Soldiers stationed here. For their training, they use the approximately three square kilometers large drop zone west of Huetten or open space outside the training area. Helicopters, drones and jets Helicopters are becoming more and more important in military operations. A field airfield has been set up for them near the airfield. Large shooting ranges have marked landing areas. Apache attack helicopters use the ranges for training and target practice. Unmanned aerial vehicles are just as often used for reconnaissance purposes, and training with these drones is now standard. A separate runway was built for the drones at the Vilseck south camp. Training and deployment time is also given to the air force in Grafenwoehr. The impact area then serves as a target area for fighter jets from various nations. | by Gerald Morgenstern Bavarian Times | 16
Photo Credit: Gerald Morgenstern (3)
Biplane on the Hammergmuend airfield, today's US airfield.
Grafenwoehr, Germany - Aviation started at the Grafenwoehr Training Area even before World War I. In June 1912, a large exercise in conjunction with airships took place on the military training area. The aeronauts, with their rigid or semi-rigid aircraft and tethered balloons, were used as observers of the artillery. The huge airships in the sky above the installation became a daily occurrence, numerous aerial photos of the barracks were photographed with their help.