Chièvres Air Base

Chièvres Air Base, also known as SHAPE Airfield, is a NATO support airfield located in Chièvres, Hainaut, Belgium. It is situated approximately 1.9 km east-southeast of the town and about 19 km from Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Casteau. The air base is operated by the United States Air Force and primarily provides logistic support to NATO and SHAPE, with infrastructure support from the United States Army Garrison Benelux. The first airfield at Chièvres was established in 1914 by the German Empire. The current airfield was built by the Belgian Army in the 1930s and was captured by the German Wehrmacht in May 1940 during World War II. It served as a major Luftwaffe air base for various fighter and bomber units, including Jagdgeschwader 26 and Kampfgeschwader 30, and was a frequent target for Allied air attacks. After its capture by Allied troops in September 1944, it was designated Advanced Landing Ground A-84 and hosted USAAF and RAF units. The base was returned to Belgian authorities by the end of 1945. In 1947, it was rebuilt as a jet-fighter base, hosting the Belgian Air Force's 7th Fighter Wing and 10th Fighter-Bomber Wing. In 1967, Belgian authorities officially transferred Chièvres Air Base to SHAPE. The NATO/SHAPE Support Group (US), later renamed USAG BENELUX, was established in 1968 to operate the base and provide logistic support. The 424th Air Base Squadron is the current operational unit, functioning as the Senior Airfield Authority for the airfield on behalf of the US. Overall airfield maintenance and base operations are managed by USAG BENELUX. The base features a single runway, 08/26, with an asphalt/concrete surface measuring 2,498 meters (8,196 ft).