German Air Force base hosting NATO nuclear sharing mission.
Opened
1952
Location
Alflen, Germany
Büchel Air Base (ICAO: ETSB) is a military airfield located near Büchel and Alflen in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It serves as the home base of Tactical Air Wing 33 (Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 33) of the German Air Force (Luftwaffe).
The base is one of the few remaining sites in Europe where United States nuclear weapons are stored under NATO's nuclear sharing arrangement, with B61 nuclear gravity bombs believed to be held in hardened underground vaults. German Tornado IDS aircraft assigned to the wing are certified to deliver these weapons in a wartime scenario.
Büchel is a non-commercial installation with no civilian passenger services. It plays a significant strategic role within NATO's nuclear deterrence posture and has been the subject of ongoing political debate in Germany regarding nuclear disarmament.
Notable facts
- ›Home to Tactical Air Wing 33 (TaktLwG 33) of the German Luftwaffe.
- ›Believed to store US B61 nuclear bombs under NATO nuclear sharing arrangements.
- ›German Tornado IDS aircraft at Büchel are certified for nuclear strike missions.
- ›Planned to receive Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft as the Tornado is phased out.
- ›The base has been a frequent target of anti-nuclear protests by German peace activists.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.