Vidsel Air Base (Krigsflygfält nr. 42)

Vidsel Air Base is located at Myrheden, 15 km west-northwest of Vidsel in northern Sweden. The Swedish Air Force established the facility in 1957 as a secret wartime airfield designated Krigsflygfält nr. 42. Initially excluded from maps, the base functioned as a dispersed wartime airfield and a component of the Vidsel Test Range. The secrecy surrounding the base was lifted in 1965, and foreign aircraft began using the facility in 1966. In 1980, the Swedish Air Force centralized its northern training operations at Vidsel. The facility was completed to Bas 90 airbase standards in 1989.

The Swedish Air Force operates the site, and the 21st Air Force Wing serves as the proprietor. Through an agreement between the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), the FMV Test & Evaluation department utilizes the base for aerospace testing and evaluation. The 21st Air Force Wing is responsible for maintaining the operational status of the airfield, while FMV Test & Evaluation manages the associated test range assets.

The airfield occupies the south-east corner of the Vidsel Test Range. The infrastructure consists of three operational runways and 17 apron areas, including 13 aprons configured for single military fast jets. Facilities include two hangars dedicated to test and evaluation operations and four aircraft shelters. The airfield is equipped with a NATO standard arrestor cable system and a Swedish standard arresting net.

The base supports the current inventory of Swedish Air Force aircraft, including the JAS 39 Gripen and Sk 60. The facility also hosts international airframes such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-18 Hornet, Panavia Tornado, and Mirage 2000. Support and transport aircraft including the C-130 Hercules and C-160 Transall operate from the base. Rotary-wing assets hosted at the facility include the AH-64D Apache, Tiger, and AS532 Cougar. Civilian aircraft are restricted from the airfield unless engaged in defense-related activities.