Ulrichen Air Base

Military restructuring and budget consolidation following the end of the Cold War. The base was officially closed as part of the Swiss Armed Forces' 'Armee 95' reform program. This program aimed to reduce the number of active air bases and concentrate forces and resources at fewer, more modern facilities. The strategic concept of maintaining numerous high-altitude dispersal airfields (part of the 'Reduit' national defense plan) became obsolete with the changing geopolitical landscape and threat scenarios.

The site has been completely demilitarized and successfully repurposed for civilian and recreational use. The runway and taxiways are still intact but are no longer maintained for aviation. The area is now a central part of the 'Nordisches Zentrum Goms' (Goms Nordic Center). In winter, the runway is groomed and integrated into the extensive 'Loipe Goms' cross-country skiing trail network, one of the most famous in Switzerland. In summer, the paved surfaces are used for a variety of activities, including roller skiing, inline skating, cycling, driver safety training courses, and hosting large public events such as classic car meetings, music festivals, and markets. Some of the former military buildings are now used by local businesses.

Ulrichen was a crucial Cold War-era 'Reduit' air base for the Swiss Air Force, constructed in 1961. Located at a high altitude of 1,345 meters (4,413 feet) in the narrow Goms valley, it was designed as a dispersal base to ensure air force survivability in case of an attack on main airfields. It was renowned for its challenging operating conditions, including thin air, mountainous terrain, and often severe weather. The base primarily handled jet fighter operations, with aircraft such as the de Havilland Vampire, de Havilland Venom, Hawker Hunter, and later the Northrop F-5 Tiger II flying from its 1,500-meter runway. Unlike other key Swiss bases like Meiringen or Turtmann, Ulrichen did not have hardened aircraft caverns ('Kavernen') and relied on dispersal and camouflage for protection.

There are no known or credible plans to reopen Ulrichen Air Base for either military or civilian aviation. The site's successful and complete conversion into a year-round tourism and recreation hub makes any prospect of reopening extremely unlikely. The high operational costs, challenging terrain, environmental considerations, and the Swiss Air Force's modern strategy of consolidating operations at a few key bases (Payerne, Meiringen, Emmen) mean the strategic need for a base like Ulrichen no longer exists.