🇧🇪 Beauvechain Air Base

Beauvechain Air Base (ICAO: EBBE) is a military airfield operated by the Belgian Air Component, located in Beauvechain, Walloon Brabant province, Belgium, approximately 30 km east-southeast of Brussels.

Notable Features and History:

• Established in 1936 as "Le Culot Airfield".
• During World War II, it was captured by the German Wehrmacht in May 1940 and became a major Luftwaffe air base. After the Germans withdrew, it was used by the RAF and later the USAAF as Advanced Landing Ground A-89.
• The base was returned to Belgian control in December 1946.
• It was home to the 1st Fighter Wing, operating F-16s, until its disbandment in 1996.
• The base features two Hardened Aircraft Shelters (HAS).
• It houses the First Wing Historical Centre, a military museum with historic aircraft displays.

Current Status:

• Beauvechain Air Base is an active military airfield and serves as a training center for pilots.
• It is home to the 1st Wing, operating A109BA helicopters, and the Basic Flying Training School, which uses SIAI Marchetti SF.260 trainer aircraft.
• The base also houses the Wing Meteo and the Air Force Band.
• It employs 1,100 people, making it the second-largest employer in Walloon Brabant.
• The aerodrome is certified for fire fighting to STANAG 3712 - CAT 8.
• Both IFR and VFR traffic are permitted.
• Limited overnight accommodations are available on the airfield.

*Sources researched: ops.skeyes.be, en.wikipedia.org, scramble.nl, skyvector.com, freight-academy.com*