Turtmann Air Base

The air base was closed as part of the 'Armee XXI' reform of the Swiss Armed Forces. Following the end of the Cold War, Switzerland significantly restructured its military to create a smaller, more modern force while reducing costs. This led to the consolidation of air operations at a few core air bases (Payerne, Meiringen, Emmen) and the closure of several redundant reserve bases, including Turtmann.

The site has been fully demilitarized and repurposed for civilian use. The former military infrastructure is now used for:
- **Solar Power Generation:** A large portion of the former runway and taxiways is covered by the 'Solarpark Turtmann-Oiken', one of the largest photovoltaic power plants in Switzerland, generating renewable energy.
- **Motorsports and Events:** The remaining paved surfaces are used for various commercial activities, including go-karting, car and motorcycle racing, and driver safety training courses.
- **Industrial Use:** The area is part of a local industrial zone, and the former aircraft cavern is reportedly used by a private company for secure storage.
- **Nature Reserve:** Parts of the surrounding area have been designated as a nature conservation zone.

Turtmann Air Base was a crucial element of Switzerland's Cold War-era defense strategy. Its construction began in the 1940s as part of the 'National Redoubt' concept, designed to ensure the air force could continue to operate even if primary airfields were destroyed. Its key features and operational history include:
- **Highway Strip (Notsrtasse):** Turtmann was famous for its ability to incorporate a section of the adjacent cantonal road (now the A9 motorway) into its runway. In a matter of hours, crash barriers could be removed and the road converted into an operational runway, a capability regularly tested in exercises (e.g., 'Strada' in 1982). This allowed for the launch and recovery of combat aircraft from a dispersed and camouflaged location.
- **Aircraft Cavern (Kaverne):** The base featured a large aircraft hangar tunneled into the adjacent rock face, capable of protecting a full squadron of fighter jets, munitions, and personnel from air attack.
- **Operational Units:** While primarily a reserve or 'sleeping' base, it was periodically activated for training. Over its lifetime, it hosted various Swiss Air Force aircraft, including the de Havilland Vampire, de Havilland Venom, Hawker Hunter, and most recently, the Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II. The last squadron to operate from Turtmann was Fliegerstaffel 8.
- **Former ICAO Code:** When active, the air base used the ICAO code LSMJ.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening Turtmann as an airport. The extensive and permanent conversion of the site into a solar power plant, event location, and industrial zone makes a return to aviation operations functionally impossible and economically unfeasible. The land has been successfully integrated into the local civilian economy.