Air Bases and Military Airfields in Switzerland

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

The Swiss Air Force had numerous military airfields. Remarkable were the bases in the so called Reduit, partially located in narrow valleys. In addition, there were several highway strips prepared for flight operations. They were used repeatedly for exercises. On the following map, they are marked with "H/S" (Highway Strip).

Today, most of the fields are closed or transferred to a civilian use. Military operation concentrates on the bases of Alpnach, Dübendorf, Emmen, Locarno, Meiringen, Payerne and Sion. Additionally, Bern is the base for the aircraft and helicopters of the Swiss Government (Lufttransportdienst des Bundes). Further reductions of the number of airfields are under discussion.

Additional Information

Swiss Air Force bases
(German language)
https://saf.hermannkeist.ch/flugplaetze.html
Lost airfields
(German language)
https://old.hermannkeist.ch/ausgemusterte-flugplaetze.html

Military airfields in Switzerland (34)
Alpnach: Airfield
Alpnach: Highway Strip
Altenrhein: Airfield
Ambri: Airfield
Bex: Highway Strip
Buochs: Air Base
Dübendorf: Air Base
Emmen: Air Base
Flums: Highway Strip
Frutigen: Airfield
Interlaken: Airfield
Locarno: Airfield
Lodrino: Airfield
Lodrino: Highway Strip
Meiringen: Air Base
Mollis: Airfield
Münsingen: Highway Strip
Münster: Airfield
Oensingen: Highway Strip
Olten: Airfield
Payerne: Air Base
Payerne: Highway Strip
Raron: Airfield
Reichenbach: Airfield
Saanen: Airfield
Samedan: Airfield
San Vittore: Airfield
Sarnen/Kägiswil: Airfield
Sion: Airfield
Sion: Highway Strip
St. Stephan: Airfield
Turtmann: Airfield
Ulrichen: Airfield
Zweisimmen: Airfield

Alpnach: Airfield

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN465637 E0081703 (WGS84) Google Maps
Location indicatorLSMA

Usage during the Cold War

Operation base for Squadrons 11 and 19 (F-5)

Use today

Main helicopter base of Swiss Air Force.

Runways

  • 01/19: 1500 m x 40 m Asphalt

Airfields in the vicinity

Alpnach: Highway Strip

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN465615 E0081639 (WGS84) Google Maps

Airfields in the vicinity

Altenrhein: Airfield

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN472907 E0093336 (WGS84) Google Maps

Ambri: Airfield

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN463046 E0084125 (WGS84) Google Maps
Location indicatorLSPM

Usage during the Cold War

Operational base
Aerial image Ambri Airfield, Switzerland, 1973
Satellite image from August 13, 1973 - The highway to the north of the field does not yet exist, and the cavern can be reached directly via a bridge over the Fiume Ticino river.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Aircraft De Havilland DH.112 Venom in front of the cavern, 1973
Enlargement - 13 aircraft De Havilland DH.112 Venom in front of the cavern, which is located immediately north of the river.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Satellite image Ambri Piotta Airfield, Switzerland, 1982
Satellite image from September 17, 1982 - Now the A2 highway passes to the north of the field. The layout of the airfield has also been adjusted for this: The taxiway now runs parallel to the runway, a taxiway to the parking area in front of the cavern in the north passes under the highway, and another can be routed over the highway if necessary.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Use today

General aviation

Runways

Data for the 1990s:
  • 11/29: 1990 m x 40 m Asphalt

Bex: Highway Strip

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN461743 E0065731 ? (WGS84) Google Maps (approximate location)

Buochs: Air Base

Stans

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN465828 E0082351 (WGS84) Google Maps
Elevation 1473 ft
Location indicatorLSMU

Usage during the Cold War

Operation base for Squadrons 10 (Mirage IIIRS) and 16 (Mirage IIIS) (1990). Pilatus Aircraft Manufacture

Use today

Reserve airfield of Swiss Airforce and general aviation airfield. Pilatus Aircraft Manufacture

Runways

Data for the 1990s:
  • 07L/25R: 2509 m x 40 m Asphalt
  • 07R/25L: 1999 m x 40 m Asphalt

Links

Airfields in the vicinity

Dübendorf: Air Base

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN472355 E0083851 (WGS84) Google Maps
Elevation 1470 ft
Location indicatorLSMD

Usage during the Cold War

Squadron 14 (F-5), VIP-Flight (1990)

Use today

Air Base

Runways

Data for the 1990s:
  • 11/29: 2355 m x 40 m Asphalt

Emmen: Air Base

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN470531 E0081817 (WGS84) Google Maps
Elevation 1400 ft
Location indicatorLSME

Usage during the Cold War

Swiss Airforce, Swiss Aircraft Manufacturing

Use today

Swiss Airforce

Runways

Data for the 1990s:
  • 04/22: 2502 m x 40 m Asphalt

Airfields in the vicinity

Flums: Highway Strip

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN470457 E0092201 (WGS84) Google Maps

Frutigen: Airfield

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN463519 E0073920 (WGS84) Google Maps
Elevation 2530 ft
Location indicatorLSFR

Usage during the Cold War

Swiss Airforce airfield

Use today

Closed

Airfields in the vicinity

Interlaken: Airfield

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN464037 E0075247 (WGS84) Google Maps
Elevation 1893 ft
Location indicatorLSMI

Usage during the Cold War

Operation base for Squadron 7 (Hunter); Hunter maintenance (1990)

Use today

Closed.

Runways

Data for the year 1990:
  • 05/23: 1981 m x 40 m Asphalt

Airfields in the vicinity

Locarno: Airfield

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN460955 E0085240 (WGS84) Google Maps
Elevation 656 ft
Location indicatorLSZL

Usage during the Cold War

Flying School (PC-7)

Use today

Flying School (PC-7)

Runways

Data for the year 1978:
  • 08L/26R: 800 m Asphalt
  • 08C/26C: 700 m Grass
  • 08R/26L: 700 m Grass

Airfields in the vicinity

Lodrino: Airfield

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN461739 E0085934 (WGS84) Google Maps
Location indicatorLSXR

Runways

  • 16/34

Airfields in the vicinity

Lodrino: Highway Strip

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN461718 E0085930 (WGS84) Google Maps

Airfields in the vicinity

Meiringen: Air Base

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN464432 E0080634 (WGS84) Google Maps
Elevation 1900 ft
Location indicatorLSMM

Usage during the Cold War

Squadrons 8 and 13 (F-5) (1990)

Runways

  • 10/28

Airfields in the vicinity

Mollis: Airfield

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN470444 E0090354 (WGS84) Google Maps
Elevation 1485 ft
Location indicatorLSMF

Usage during the Cold War

Squadron 20 (Hunter)

Use today

Reserve airfield with civil use.

Runways

  • 02/20: 1985 m x 40 m Asphalt

Links

Münsingen: Highway Strip

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN465200 E0073256 (WGS84) Google Maps

Münster: Airfield

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN462848 E0081548 (WGS84) Google Maps
Elevation 4360 ft
Location indicatorLSPU

Usage during the Cold War

Swiss Airforce airfield

Use today

General aviation

Runways

  • 05/23

Airfields in the vicinity

Oensingen: Highway Strip

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN471742 E0074509 (WGS84) Google Maps

Airfields in the vicinity

Olten: Airfield

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!

Airfields in the vicinity

Payerne: Air Base

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN465038 E0065458 (WGS84) Google Maps
Elevation 1465 ft
Location indicatorLSMP

Runways

  • 05/23: 2858 m x 40 m Asphalt

Airfields in the vicinity

Payerne: Highway Strip

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN465040 E0065555 (WGS84) Google Maps

General

Suspected highway strip on Autobahn 1 immediately east of Payerne air base. There is a direct connection to the airfield.

Airfields in the vicinity

Raron: Airfield

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN461816 E0074921 (WGS84) Google Maps
Elevation 2090 ft
Location indicatorLSMN, LSTA

Usage during the Cold War

Sq 5 (Hunter); Sq 9 (Hunter); Sq 1 (Alouette) (1990)

Use today

General aviation

Runways

Data for the 1990s:
  • 10/28: 2300 m x 40 m Asphalt

Airfields in the vicinity

Reichenbach: Airfield

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN463650 E0074040 (WGS84) Google Maps
Elevation 2372 ft
Location indicatorLSGR

Use today

General aviation

Runways

  • 04/22

Links

Airfields in the vicinity

Saanen: Airfield

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN462912 E0071456 (WGS84) Google Maps
Elevation 3307 ft
Location indicatorLSGK

Use today

General aviation

Runways

Data for the year 1978:
  • 08/26: 1100 m Asphalt
Data for the 1990s:
  • 08/26: 1400 m x 40 m Asphalt

Links

Airfields in the vicinity

Samedan: Airfield

For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
CoordinatesN463204 E0095303 (WGS84) Google Maps
Elevation 5600 ft
Location indicatorLSZS

Use today

General aviation

Runways

    (1990)

    San Vittore: Airfield

    For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
    CoordinatesN461402 E0090543 (WGS84) Google Maps
    Elevation 860 ft
    Location indicatorLSXV

    Airfields in the vicinity

    Sarnen/Kägiswil: Airfield

    For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
    CoordinatesN465428 E0081512 (WGS84) Google Maps
    Elevation 1530 ft
    Location indicatorLSPG

    Use today

    General aviation

    Runways

    Data for the 1990s:
    • 03/21

    Links

    Airfields in the vicinity

    Sion: Airfield

    For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
    CoordinatesN461309 E0071936 (WGS84) Google Maps
    Elevation 1581 ft
    Location indicatorLSGS

    Use today

    Civil aerodrome

    Runways

    Data for the year 1978:
    • 08/26: 1950 m Asphalt
    • 08/26: 770 m Grass

    Links

    Airfields in the vicinity

    Sion: Highway Strip

    For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
    CoordinatesN461302 E0071958 (WGS84) Google Maps

    Airfields in the vicinity

    St. Stephan: Airfield

    For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
    CoordinatesN462951 E0072444 (WGS84) Google Maps
    Elevation 3304 ft
    Location indicatorLSMH

    Location of airfield

    Southeast of St. Stephan.

    Usage during the Cold War

    Squadron 15 (Hunter), Squadron 22 (Hunter), Airfield unit 7 (1990). Miliary use until 1999.

    Runways

    Data for the 1990s:
    • 14/32: 1890 m x 40 m Asphalt

    Airfields in the vicinity

    Turtmann: Airfield

    For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
    CoordinatesN461816 E0074250 (WGS84) Google Maps
    Elevation 2060 ft
    Location indicatorLSMJ

    Usage during the Cold War

    Operation base for Squadron 1 (F-5) and Squadron 21 (Hunter)

    Use today

    Closed

    Runways

    Data for the 1990s:
    • 08/26: 2000 m x 40 m Asphalt

    Links

    Airfields in the vicinity

    Ulrichen: Airfield

    For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
    CoordinatesN463008 E0081801 (WGS84) Google Maps
    Elevation 4422 ft
    Location indicatorLSMC

    Usage during the Cold War

    Operation base for Squadron 2 (Hunter) and Detachment of Squadron 22 (Hunter) (1990)

    Use today

    Closed

    Runways

    Data for the 1990s:
    • 05/23: 2100 m x 40 m Asphalt

    Airfields in the vicinity

    Zweisimmen: Airfield

    For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
    CoordinatesN463306 E0072252 (WGS84) Google Maps
    Elevation 3060 ft
    Location indicatorLSTZ

    Runways

    Data for the 1990s:
    • 17/35

    Airfields in the vicinity


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