Schleswig Air Base

Schleswig Air Base, also known as Fliegerhorst Schleswig or Schleswig-Jagel, is located in Jagel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Established in 1916, the airfield has been in continuous military use since its founding. During World War II, the base hosted night fighters, including the Messerschmitt Me 262.

Following the war, the British Air Force of Occupation assumed control on May 6, 1945, designating the site as Airfield B.164. Between 1945 and 1958, the facility operated as RAF Schleswigland. During this period, it hosted several Royal Air Force units, including No. 121 Wing flying Hawker Typhoon Ibs and squadrons equipped with Spitfire XIV and XI aircraft. From 1948 to 1949, the base served as an operating station for the Berlin Airlift, codenamed Operation Plainfare. Handley Page Hastings transport aircraft from No. 47 and No. 297 Squadrons operated from the site. Civilian contractors, including Lancashire Aircraft Corp and Scottish Airlines, also used the base to airlift fuel to Berlin, utilizing its existing underground fuel lines.

The Royal Air Force closed the station in April 1958, transferring control to the German Navy. In June 1958, Marinefliegergeschwader 1 moved to the base. The final British personnel vacated the facility in November 1961.

The German Air Force currently operates the base, which serves as the home for Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 51 "Immelmann" (Tactical Air Force Wing 51). The wing operates reconnaissance variants of the Panavia Tornado. The facility is owned by the Federal Defence Forces of Germany.

In June 2023, Schleswig Air Base was a primary location for Air Defender 23. This German-led exercise was the largest air force deployment drill in NATO history, taking place from June 12 to June 23. During the exercise, the base hosted Panavia Tornados and other participating aircraft.