Landsberg-Lech Air Base (Fliegerhorst Landsberg/Lech)

Landsberg-Lech Air Base, also known as Fliegerhorst Landsberg/Lech, is a former German Air Force facility located near Landsberg am Lech in Bavaria. The site was selected for airbase construction in 1935, and work began in 1936. Combat Wing 255 arrived in 1937, initially operating Dornier Do 17E and 17M bombers. In 1939, the unit was redesignated Kampfgeschwader 51 and transitioned to Heinkel He 111 aircraft. During World War II, the base was used for pre-flying and general training. A concentration camp for forced laborers was located on the air base during the war; notable prisoners included Georges Charpak.

In April 1945, the base was occupied by a U.S. Armored Division after USAAF B-17 bombers destroyed three hangars and all runways. Following the war, the U.S. Army’s 843rd Engineer Aviation Battalion rehabilitated the airfield, which was designated Advanced Landing Ground R-54. The United States Air Force (USAF) operated the base between 1947 and 1958, hosting units such as the 7280th Air Base Group, the 2d Air Division, and the 7351st Flying Training Wing.

Following West Germany's entry into NATO in 1955, Landsberg was selected as the retraining site for the German Air Force. Training for the first class of 19 German officers began in February 1956 using Piper L-18A Super Cub aircraft. The USAF officially transferred control of the base to the German Air Force in 1958.

The base functioned as a transport facility and served as the home of Air Transport Wing 61. Fixed-wing operations utilized C-160 Transall transport aircraft, while rotary-wing operations involved UH-1D Huey helicopters. From 1966 to 1971, Helicopter Transport Wing 64 was also stationed at the base. Other aircraft types hosted at the facility during its operational history included F-86 Sabres and F-84F Thunderstreaks. The base is owned by the Unified Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Germany and was operated by the German Air Force.