RAF Laarbruch (motto: Ein’ Feste Burg - "A Fortress Sure"), located on the Germany/Netherlands border, was home to various first-line squadrons, including II (AC) Squadron flying F-4 Phantom II; and 15 and 16 Squadrons flying BAe Buccaneers and 25 Squadron ’C’ Flight with Bloodhound surface to air missiles in the 1970s, followed by Jaguars in the 1980s. These were replaced by Tornadoes with four squadrons (2, 15, 16,and 20) resident. After the first Gulf War, many of the squadrons were relocated, No. 2 Sqn going back to RAF Marham; and 15, 16, and 20 becoming reserve squadrons. When RAF Gutersloh closed, the Harriers of 3(F) and IV(AC) squadrons moved in along with the helicopters of 18(B) Squadron. Laarbruch was also home to 1 and 26 Squadron RAF Regiment. 18 Squadron returned to RAF Odiham in 1997 with the remaining Harrier squadrons departing to RAF Cottesmore in 1999.

After closing in 1999 the airfield found a new civilian lease of life as the budget airline airport Flughafen Niederrhein (Lower Rhine Airport), now known as Airport Weeze after the nearest large village. Civil operations began in May 2003.

Memories of RAF Laarbruch

raf laarbruch block 46 in 1977
Written by keith kemp
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" A place to live full of regtiment personll and wrafs on the odd occasion one day you would be in the shower s then a female voice from the next shower would be asking to borrow your shampoo happy days"


RAF Laarbruch in 1961
Written by David Colin Barnes

"I was posted from RAF Sundern inJune 61 to Aug 62 I was employed in Station Workshop, as a blacksmith/welder until I had an accident repairing an afterburner to a Javelin fighter plane. I was very friendly with the MT personnel especially with a Cpl Murry. The station at that time was housing 3 Squadrons ,2 javelins and one camber in 1975 I was again posted to Laarbruch,but this time as a Sgt personnel administrator. The same 3 Squadrons were still there ."


RAF Laarbruch, in 1980
Written by mel timms
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"I REMEMBER MY GREAT FRIEND GORDON MURRAY ( NO LONGER WITH US )DEFACING THE ENTIRE BARRACK BLOCK IN DARK GREEN PAINT WITH THE WORDS " AT 2.30 PM A SINGLEY BITES THE DUST " FOR RUSS HALLAM ’S WEDDING AND MAN DID HE GET IT FROM THE S.W.O ON MONDAY MORNING "

Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving RAF Laarbruch

" RAF Laarbruch Many moons ago, Myself and a WRAF colleague, had just finnished an evening shift (refuelling Harriers). We were the only people still onsite, and was walking to our cars at the sqn entrance. Close by was an old Vulcan bomber, on display, silhoetted against the night sky.  We ..."

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"Anyone out there remember me from 70-74,camps Weymouth, Hamlin 2 and somewhre near RAF Laarbruch [Then & Now.JPG]"

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"  Looking for Andy and Debbie Sharman- Last known to be living at RAF Laarbruch Germany 1992, Both are originally from Portsmouth, they have 2 children. Would love to hear from them Jo (Jo Moss) "

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" Thanx Margaret. My time in Germany was great! Showed the kids the Moehnedam (that`s the 617sqn reference in the thread title) went in Cologne cathederal (got some great photos, but my camera is in the missing suitcase)and visited RAF Laarbruch (Aiport Niederhien). Memories flooded back!!! even saw my old barrack block and parked the car just how I parked it to load up my stuff when I left. "

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" I feel just like one of the smileys - wandering lost around this website, trying to find a long-lost RAF friend. Is there anyone out there who knows the whereabouts of, or even has contact with, a Peter ( P.R.C.P.) Taylor; last heard of at RAF Laarbruch, Germany, in 1964. He married a dutch girl ..."

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