Alpnach Air Base

Alpnach Air Base is located near Alpnach in the Canton of Obwalden, Switzerland. A landing strip was established at the site in 1929 and expanded in 1939. Following the addition of wooden hangars in 1940, the base was officially established in September 1942 with the arrival of Fliegerabteilung 7. In 1943, a concrete runway was built as part of the Swiss Reduitstrategie, supported by type U-43 aircraft shelters and bunkers for command and ammunition.

From 1947 to 1994, the base hosted the 19th Squadron. Starting in 1952, aircraft caverns were constructed in the adjacent Mueterschwanderberg Mountain; these facilities were transferred to the Directorate of Military airfields in 1960. The base supported various jet aircraft, including the de Havilland DH-112 Venom beginning in 1958, the Hawker Hunter from 1973, and the F-5 Tiger from 1979. Jet operations concluded in the mid-1990s following the Army XXI reforms, which ended cavern-based flight operations. Helicopter operations were initiated at the site in January 1964. In 2004, the airfield remained operational following lobbying by the Obwalden government against its proposed closure.

The Swiss Air Force utilizes Alpnach as the main logistical base for its helicopter fleet. The airfield operates Aérospatiale Super Puma, Eurocopter AS532UL Cougar Mk1, and Eurocopter EC 635 aircraft. RUAG Switzerland AG also operates a facility at the base for the maintenance of military and civil helicopters.

Infrastructure consists of a concrete runway, taxiways, and multiple hangars, including Hangar 4 and renovated Hangar 2 and 3 facilities. The site features mountain caverns and an artillery fortress located within the Mueterschwanderberg. Additionally, the base is connected to the A8 Highway by taxiways designed to facilitate emergency operations from the roadway.