Unit History: RAF Laarbruch

RAF Laarbruch
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

(Memories written by members of Forces Reunited)

raf laarbruch block 46 in 1977

Written by keith kemp

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

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

RAF Laarbruch, 31 Sqdn in 1956

Written by Keith Harper

I took part in the ceremonial Parade to mark the presentation of the queens colours to 31 Sqdn.

RAF Laarbruch, in 1965

Written by peter(pete)todd

great time at woodhall spa often think about the people we met but lost touch with
had a faboulus time there met great people in laarbruch
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