View source for NATO Dispersed Operating Bases

{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict    = NATO Dispersed Operating Bases
| partof      = the [[Cold War]]
| image       = NATO AB in France map-en.svg
| image_size  = 350px
| caption     = Map of NATO Air Bases in France during the [[Cold War]]
| date        = 1951-1966
| place       = France
| territory   =
| result      = Turned over to French military in accordance with French Withdrawal From [[NATO]] Integrated Military Structure
| status      =
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'''NATO Dispersed Operating Bases''' (DOBs) were developed to improve air power survival when NATO began planning for tactical air bases and aircraft in western Europe during the early [[Cold War]] years of the 1950s.

== History ==
Dispersal tactics and protective measures were very common during World War II and practiced by all nations. The [[United States Army Air Forces|USAAF]] was less concerned than its allies about base defence and dispersal due to the total air superiority and unlimited resources of aircraft, aircrews and ground personnel to replace combat losses.

After [[D-Day]] as allied tactical air forces moved rapidly across France, investment in base and aircraft survival was impractical.   It was quicker and cheaper to use captured [[Luftwaffe]] facilities. By 1948 these small airfields had been abandoned and most structures were removed or were in a state of disrepair.

With the advent of the Cold War, NATO faced several problems when attempting to solve the air power survival equation. Planning for first strike survival in both conventional and nuclear wars had to be considered. The main air bases were built on small parcels of land with very limited dispersal space.   It was decided to build DOBs at least {{convert|30|mi|km|abbr=off|sp=us}} from the main air bases to be used in the event of an emergency. The goal was to have no more than one fighter squadron on each main or dispersed base in the event of war.

Beginning in 1953 USAFE DOBs were constructed in France and were completed in about two years. Each was built to a standard NATO design of a 7,900' runway and the ability to space parked aircraft as far apart as possible by the construction of a circular marguerite system of hardstands that could be revetted later with earth for added protection.

Typically the marguerite consisted of fifteen to eighteen hardstands around a large central hangar. Each hardstand held one or two aircraft, and allowed the planes to be spaced approximately {{convert|150|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} apart. Each squadron was assigned to a separate hangar/hardstand complex.

Four DOBs were built for [[USAFE]] use.  They were designed to have the capability to base about 30 aircraft, along with a few permanent buildings serviced with utilities and space for a tent city to house personnel.

No USAFE flying units were permanently assigned to these bases, and they were used for dispersal training only. However, they did require the same level of equipment as a standard air base.  In addition, security personnel were required to control base access, guard equipment, munitions and supplies stored on the facility, as well as prevent vandalism.

By 1959 due to the reduction of NATO/USAF tactical fighter and bomb wings in France, the need for these DOBs was virtually eliminated.  Three were transferred to the [[United States Army|U. S. Army]] to reduce the cost of maintaining them and the other was turned over to the French Government.

== Base Descriptions ==
=== Luneville-Chenevieres AB ===
[[Luneville-Chenevieres Air Base]] {{Coord|48|31|40|N|006|38|06|E}} is located in the [[Meurthe-et-Moselle]] [[Département in France|Département]] about  8 miles southeast of [[Lunéville]]; 190 miles east of Paris

The former base is{{when?|date=May 2024}} under [[French Army]] control. It was renamed '''Quartier La Salle''' and has been used for equipment storage and as a communications facility.

=== Vatry AB ===
[[Vatry Air Base]] {{Coord|48|46|37|N|004|11|14|E}} is located in the [[Marne (department)|Marne]] [[Département in France|Département]] along the [[Route nationale 14]] (N14), about 14 miles southwest of [[Châlons-en-Champagne]]; 100 miles east of Paris.

The former NATO base has been redeveloped as an international cargo and transport facility [[Châlons Vatry Airport]]. Very little remains of the old USAF base.

=== Vouziers-Sechault AB ===
[[Vouziers-Sechault Air Base]] {{Coord|49|16|36|N|004|45|12|E}} is located in the [[Ardennes (département)|Ardennes]] [[Département in France|Département]] about 15 miles north-northwest of [[Sainte-Menehould]]; 117 miles east-northeast of Paris.

Currently{{when?|date=May 2024}} the former base is a reserve [[French Air and Space Force]] facility.

=== Vitry-Brienne AB ===
[[Vitry-Brienne Air Base]] {{Coord|48|25|44|N|004|28|49|E}} is located in the [[Aube]] [[Département in France|Département]], approximately 17 miles northwest of [[Bar-sur-Aube]]; 117 miles southeast of Paris.

In 1970 it was purchased by the Brienne Chamber of Commerce and later sold to private developers. It has been used by various groups for sport aviation, sky diving and soaring. In addition, an aviation museum has been established in the old USAF hangars.

=== Emergency Airfields ===
An additional 10 airfields were developed by the French government mostly from World War II USAAF [[Ninth Air Force]] [[Advanced Landing Ground]]s (ALG) as unmanned 'bare bones' airfields, consisting of a runway with minimal facilities intended for use by all NATO air forces to disperse their aircraft in case of war. They were:

* [[Cambrai - Épinoy Air Base]] (ALG A-75/B-72)  {{Coord|50|13|11|N|003|09|17|E}} &nbsp;[[Image:Roundel of France.svg|20px]]&nbsp; (BA 126 Cambrai-Épinoy)
* [[Cambrai-Niergnies Airport|Cambrai-Niergnies Air Base]] (ALG A-74) {{Coord|50|08|08|N|003|15|53|E}}
* [[Saint Simon-Clastres Air Base]] (ALG A-71) {{Coord|49|45|25.61|N|003|12|43.71|E}}
* [[Laon-Athies Air Base]]  (ALG A-69) {{Coord|49|35|47|N|003|42|31|E|}}
* [[Saint-Nazaire Montoir Airport|Saint Nazaire-Montoir Air Base]] {{Coord|47|18|43|N|002|09|01|W|}}
* [[Beauvais-Tillé Air Base]]*  (ALG A-61) {{Coord|49|27|16|N|002|06|46|E|}}
* [[Saint Quentin-Estres Air Base]] (ALG A-72) {{Coord|49|52|11|N|003|01|43|E}}
* [[Nancy-Ochey Air Base]] (ALG A-96) {{Coord|48|34|59.75|N|005|57|15.67|E|}} &nbsp;[[Image:Roundel of France.svg|20px]]&nbsp; (BA 133 Nancy-Ochey)
* [[Metz-Frescaty Air Base]] (ALG Y-34) {{Coord|49|04|24|N|006|07|58|E|}} &nbsp;[[Image:Roundel of France.svg|20px]]&nbsp; (BA 128 Metz-Frescaty)
* [[Épinal-Mirecourt Air Base]]  {{Coord|48|19|29|N|006|04|01|E|}}

.* Note: NATO construction never performed.

==See also==
* [[RAAF Bare Bases]]
* [[Bas 60]]
* [[Bas 90]]

==References==
{{AFHRA}}
* McAuliffe, Jerome J: ''U.S. Air Force in France 1950-1967'' (2005), Chapter 17, Dispersed Operating Bases

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060523053616/http://www.vatry.com/ Vatry International Airport]
* [http://perso.wanadoo.fr/ulm.aube Brienne-Le-Chateau Airport] (In French)

{{USAF Bases in the France}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nato Dispersed Operating Bases}}
[[Category:Military installations of NATO|Dispersed Operating Bases]]
[[Category:NATO installations in France]]