Geilenkirchen: Air Base

RAF Geilenkirchen, Teveren

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

Coordinates	N505739 E0060229 (WGS84) Google Maps
Elevation	286 ft
Federal state	Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia)
Location indicator	DAGK (RAF 195x), EDUI (RAF 196x), EDNG (NATO 198x-1995), ETNG (1995-)

Map with location of Geilenkirchen Air Base, Germany

Germany during the Cold War Map

The history of the Cold War airfields: Geilenkirchen

General

Used by Royal Air Force from 1953 until 1968. Thereafter base for German Missile Wing 2 with Pershing I/IA. From the early 1980s NATO base for AWACS E-3A aircrafts.

During the Cold War

In the 1950s

Use

Royal Air Force base.

Situation

RAF Geilenkirchen on a map from 1956 - The approach areas of the three British airfields Geilenkirchen, Wildenrath and Brüggen are protected by restricted areas. The white "E" in the circle symbolizes the Eureka radio beacon, used by the British at this time. The square around the airport symbol with the "V" underneath shows an VHF direction finder. The black star stands for the coded beacons which is characteristical for British airfields

Lights

Identification beacon with morse code GK.

Radio beacons

NDB: 285 "GK", at field, power 300 W
Eureka: 224R, 230T "KN"

Radio communication

Approach 102.06, 106.74, 111.42, 117.9, 243.0, 257.8
Tower 106.74, 102.06, 117.9, 111.42

A cathode ray VHF direction finder was available.

In the 1960s

Use

Royal Air Force base.

Runways

10/28

Radio beacons

ILS, the localizer beam had an offset of 3° to the extended runway centerline.

Radar

ASR, PAR (glide slope 2.75°)

Radio communication

Approach 314.8, 362.3, 275.6, 154.62, 123.3, 136.35, 117.9
Tower 275.6, 154.62, 360.1, 314.8, 283.1, 257.8, 253.6, 136.35, 135.54, 123.3, 117.9

In the 1970s

Overview

Geilenkirchen Air Base, Germany, on a US satellite image 1974

Geilenkirchen Air Base on a US satellite image from Saturday 13 April 1974 - At this time, Geilenkirchen is not used as an airfield anymore. However, the basic structures typical of RAF aerodromes in Germany are still recognisable.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey

Communication

Missile Wing 2 had the radio call sign DHK 87.

In the 1980s and early 1990s

Overview

Aerial picture from the late 1980s or early 1990s - Even after the conversion to the base for NATO's AWACS aircraft, the numerous former small revetments are still visible.

Source: Datenquelle: Land NRW (2019) Datenlizenz Deutschland - Namensnennung - Version 2.0 www.govdata.de/dl-de/by-2.0