Hanau Army Air Field

Military Base Realignment and Closure. The airfield was part of the U.S. Army Garrison Hanau, which was closed as part of a major restructuring and consolidation of U.S. forces in Europe following the end of the Cold War. The closure was a strategic decision to reduce the number of American military installations in Germany, reflecting the changed geopolitical landscape and a shift in U.S. military priorities.

The site has been completely demilitarized and converted into a large-scale commercial, industrial, and logistics park. The project, named 'Gewerbepark Fliegerhorst Erlensee/Neuberg', has seen extensive redevelopment. The former runways, taxiways, and hangar areas are now occupied by massive distribution centers for major companies like DHL, DSV, and other logistics providers. Some of the former military buildings have been repurposed, while much of the land has been developed with new industrial infrastructure. Additionally, significant portions of the former base have been designated as nature conservation areas, preserving local flora and fauna.

Hanau Army Airfield, originally known as 'Fliegerhorst Langendiebach', has a significant dual history.

1. **WWII Era (Luftwaffe):** Constructed by the German Luftwaffe between 1936 and 1939, it was a major operational airfield during World War II. It hosted various fighter and bomber units, including elements of famous wings like Jagdgeschwader 27 (JG 27) and Kampfgeschwader 55 (KG 55). The base was a key target for Allied bombing raids and was captured by U.S. forces in March 1945.

2. **Cold War Era (U.S. Army):** After its capture, the U.S. Army took control and renamed it Hanau Army Airfield (AAS). During the Cold War, it became one of the most important U.S. Army aviation bases in Europe. Its strategic location near the 'Fulda Gap'—a potential main invasion route for Warsaw Pact forces—made it a critical forward operating base. The airfield was home to the aviation brigades of major combat units, including the 3rd Armored Division and later the V Corps. It operated a large fleet of helicopters, including AH-1 Cobra and later AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, UH-1 Iroquois and later UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopters, and various observation aircraft. The airfield was a hub for combat aviation, air assault operations, reconnaissance, and logistics, playing a vital role in NATO's defense posture for decades.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening Hanau Army Airfield. The land has been irreversibly redeveloped for industrial and commercial use. The construction of large, permanent logistics warehouses directly on the former aviation surfaces makes any future use as an airport impossible without complete demolition and reconstruction, for which there is no political or economic demand.