Elsenborn Air Base

The change in status was due to a shift in military doctrine and technology. The primary role of Camp Elsenborn evolved into a ground forces training center for artillery, armor, and infantry. The need for a permanent, co-located light aviation detachment diminished with the introduction of more advanced helicopters and surveillance systems that could be deployed from other main operating bases. The closure was not for economic reasons or due to an accident, but rather a military operational realignment.

The site is an active and integral part of Camp Elsenborn, a major military training area for the Belgian Land Component and other NATO forces. The paved runway (approximately 900 meters / 2,950 feet long) and surrounding facilities are maintained and used as a tactical landing strip and heliport. Its current use is primarily for helicopter operations, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) training, and potential assault landings by STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) transport aircraft like the C-130 Hercules during specific military exercises.

Elsenborn Air Base has significant military history dating back to World War I, when it was established by the German army as a 'Feldflugplatz' (field airfield). After WWI, it was used by the Belgian military. During World War II, it was captured and used by the German Luftwaffe. The airfield and the surrounding Elsenborn Ridge were a critical strategic objective during the Battle of the Bulge (December 1944 - January 1945), where American forces famously held the line against the German offensive. After WWII and throughout the Cold War, it served as a vital training facility for the Belgian Armed Forces. It primarily handled light observation and liaison aircraft (such as Piper Super Cubs) for artillery spotting, as well as serving as a drop zone for paratrooper training.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening Elsenborn as a public airport or as a continuously operating, permanently-staffed air base. Its location within an active live-fire military range makes any civilian use impossible. Its future and operational tempo are entirely dependent on the training requirements of the Belgian and allied armed forces using the Camp Elsenborn training area.