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
Lost airfields (German language)
https://old.hermannkeist.ch/ausgemusterte-flugplaetze.html
Military airfields in Switzerland (34)
Alpnach: Airfield
For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
Coordinates | N465637 E0081703 (WGS84) Google Maps |
Location indicator | LSMA |
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!
Airfields in the vicinity
Altenrhein: Airfield
For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
Airfields in the vicinity
Ambri: Airfield
For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
Coordinates | N463046 E0084125 (WGS84) Google Maps |
Location indicator | LSPM |
Usage during the Cold War
Operational base
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
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 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!
Coordinates | N461743 E0065731 ? (WGS84) Google Maps (approximate location) |
Buochs: Air Base
Stans
For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
Coordinates | N465828 E0082351 (WGS84) Google Maps |
Elevation | 1473 ft |
Location indicator | LSMU |
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
Airfields in the vicinity
Dübendorf: Air Base
For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
Coordinates | N472355 E0083851 (WGS84) Google Maps |
Elevation | 1470 ft |
Location indicator | LSMD |
Usage during the Cold War
Squadron 14 (F-5), VIP-Flight (1990)
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!
Coordinates | N470531 E0081817 (WGS84) Google Maps |
Elevation | 1400 ft |
Location indicator | LSME |
Usage during the Cold War
Swiss Airforce, Swiss Aircraft Manufacturing
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!
Frutigen: Airfield
For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
Coordinates | N463519 E0073920 (WGS84) Google Maps |
Elevation | 2530 ft |
Location indicator | LSFR |
Usage during the Cold War
Swiss Airforce airfield
Airfields in the vicinity
Interlaken: Airfield
For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
Coordinates | N464037 E0075247 (WGS84) Google Maps |
Elevation | 1893 ft |
Location indicator | LSMI |
Usage during the Cold War
Operation base for Squadron 7 (Hunter); Hunter maintenance (1990)
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!
Coordinates | N460955 E0085240 (WGS84) Google Maps |
Elevation | 656 ft |
Location indicator | LSZL |
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!
Coordinates | N461739 E0085934 (WGS84) Google Maps |
Location indicator | LSXR |
Airfields in the vicinity
Lodrino: Highway Strip
For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
Airfields in the vicinity
Meiringen: Air Base
For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
Coordinates | N464432 E0080634 (WGS84) Google Maps |
Elevation | 1900 ft |
Location indicator | LSMM |
Usage during the Cold War
Squadrons 8 and 13 (F-5) (1990)
Airfields in the vicinity
Mollis: Airfield
For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
Coordinates | N470444 E0090354 (WGS84) Google Maps |
Elevation | 1485 ft |
Location indicator | LSMF |
Usage during the Cold War
Squadron 20 (Hunter)
Use today
Reserve airfield with civil use.
Runways
- 02/20: 1985 m x 40 m Asphalt
Münsingen: Highway Strip
For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
Münster: Airfield
For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
Coordinates | N462848 E0081548 (WGS84) Google Maps |
Elevation | 4360 ft |
Location indicator | LSPU |
Usage during the Cold War
Swiss Airforce airfield
Use today
General aviation
Airfields in the vicinity
Oensingen: Highway Strip
For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
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!
Coordinates | N465038 E0065458 (WGS84) Google Maps |
Elevation | 1465 ft |
Location indicator | LSMP |
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!
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!
Coordinates | N461816 E0074921 (WGS84) Google Maps |
Elevation | 2090 ft |
Location indicator | LSMN, 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!
Coordinates | N463650 E0074040 (WGS84) Google Maps |
Elevation | 2372 ft |
Location indicator | LSGR |
Use today
General aviation
Airfields in the vicinity
Saanen: Airfield
For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
Coordinates | N462912 E0071456 (WGS84) Google Maps |
Elevation | 3307 ft |
Location indicator | LSGK |
Use today
General aviation
Runways
Data for the year 1978:
Data for the 1990s:
- 08/26: 1400 m x 40 m Asphalt
Airfields in the vicinity
Samedan: Airfield
For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
Coordinates | N463204 E0095303 (WGS84) Google Maps |
Elevation | 5600 ft |
Location indicator | LSZS |
Use today
General aviation
San Vittore: Airfield
For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
Coordinates | N461402 E0090543 (WGS84) Google Maps |
Elevation | 860 ft |
Location indicator | LSXV |
Airfields in the vicinity
Sarnen/Kägiswil: Airfield
For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
Coordinates | N465428 E0081512 (WGS84) Google Maps |
Elevation | 1530 ft |
Location indicator | LSPG |
Use today
General aviation
Runways
Data for the 1990s:
Airfields in the vicinity
Sion: Airfield
For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
Coordinates | N461309 E0071936 (WGS84) Google Maps |
Elevation | 1581 ft |
Location indicator | LSGS |
Use today
Civil aerodrome
Runways
Data for the year 1978:
- 08/26: 1950 m Asphalt
- 08/26: 770 m Grass
Airfields in the vicinity
Sion: Highway Strip
For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
Airfields in the vicinity
St. Stephan: Airfield
For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
Coordinates | N462951 E0072444 (WGS84) Google Maps |
Elevation | 3304 ft |
Location indicator | LSMH |
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!
Coordinates | N461816 E0074250 (WGS84) Google Maps |
Elevation | 2060 ft |
Location indicator | LSMJ |
Usage during the Cold War
Operation base for Squadron 1 (F-5) and Squadron 21 (Hunter)
Runways
Data for the 1990s:
- 08/26: 2000 m x 40 m Asphalt
Airfields in the vicinity
Ulrichen: Airfield
For historical information only, do not use for navigation or aviation purposes!
Coordinates | N463008 E0081801 (WGS84) Google Maps |
Elevation | 4422 ft |
Location indicator | LSMC |
Usage during the Cold War
Operation base for Squadron 2 (Hunter) and Detachment of Squadron 22 (Hunter) (1990)
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!
Coordinates | N463306 E0072252 (WGS84) Google Maps |
Elevation | 3060 ft |
Location indicator | LSTZ |
Runways
Data for the 1990s:
Airfields in the vicinity