Wunstorf Air Base (RAF Wunstorf, Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) B-116)

Summary

Operating Country 🇩🇪 Germany
Location 🇩🇪 Germany
Status Active
UsageMilitary only
Year built1936
Operating OrganizationLuftwaffe
Units
  • Air Transport Wing 62

Description

Wunstorf Air Base is a German Air Force military airfield located in Lower Saxony, 6 kilometers south-southwest of Neustadt am Rübenberge and 4 kilometers north-northwest of Wunstorf. The facility opened in 1936 under the National Socialist government. On 7 April 1945, the British Army 5th Parachute Brigade, 6th Airborne Division seized the airfield during a battle that resulted in the capture of Bf 109, Fw 190, Ju 88, and Ju 52 aircraft. The Royal Air Force subsequently designated the site as Advanced Landing Ground B-116 and later RAF Wunstorf. The base supported the Berlin Airlift and hosted RAF squadrons operating Spitfire, Vampire, Venom, Meteor, and Swift aircraft.

The airfield returned to German control in 1957. The German Air Force initially stationed Nord Noratlas aircraft at the base, which were replaced by Transall C-160D transports in 1971. Air Transport Wing 62 (Lufttransportgeschwader 62) operated the C-160D until July 2015. Between 1964 and 1998, a temporary motor racing circuit operated on the base premises, hosting the German Touring Car Championship and the Interserie sports car championship.

Wunstorf Air Base is currently operated by the Luftwaffe and serves as the station for Air Transport Wing 62. The unit operates all German Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft. Infrastructure includes maintenance hangars, expanded parking positions, and a flight simulator building. The base underwent expansion in the 2010s to accommodate 40 A400M aircraft, which included runway extension and new facility construction. Between 12 and 23 June 2023, the base participated in Air Defender 23, a large-scale exercise involving NATO air forces.

Location & Details

Map of Wunstorf Air Base
Coordinates52.4547°N, 9.4289°E
ICAO codeETNW
Runways
  • 03/21 [Asphalt]
  • 08/26 [Concrete]
Wikipedia and other open sources. Last updated on 12 January 2026