Orly Air Base: Difference between revisions
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''For the French civilan use of this facility, see [[Paris - Orly Airport]]'' |
''For the French civilan use of this facility, see [[Paris - Orly Airport]]'' |
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[[Image:Wh-mats.jpg|right|120px]] |
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'''Paris-Orly Air Base''' was located at Aeroport de Paris-Orly, nine miles (15 km) south of [[Paris]] off Autoroute A6/A10m with a highway exit directly into the base. |
'''Paris-Orly Air Base''' was located at Aeroport de Paris-Orly, nine miles (15 km) south of [[Paris]] off Autoroute A6/A10m with a highway exit directly into the base. |
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== Origins == |
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[[Image:Wh-mats.jpg|thumb|120px|USAF Military Air Transport Service insignia]] |
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During [[World War II]] Orly Airport was used by the occupying German [[Luftwaffe]] and was repeatedly bombed by the [[Royal Air Force]] and [[United States Army Air Force]] (USAAF), with runways, buildings and hangars being destroyed. |
Orly Airport was opened in 1932 as a secondary civil airport to Le Bourget. During [[World War II]] Orly Airport was used by the occupying German [[Luftwaffe]] and was repeatedly bombed by the [[Royal Air Force]] and [[United States Army Air Force]] (USAAF), with runways, buildings and hangars being destroyed. |
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After the [[Battle of Normandy]], Orly was repaired by the USAAF [[Ninth Air Force]] in July and August [[1944]] and used as tactical airfield A-47. The '''50th Fighter Group''' flew [[P-47|P-47 "Thunderbolts"]] until September from Orly then liaison squadrons used the airfield until October [[1945]]. |
After the [[Battle of Normandy]], Orly was repaired by the USAAF [[Ninth Air Force]] in July and August [[1944]] and used as tactical airfield A-47. The '''50th Fighter Group''' flew [[P-47|P-47 "Thunderbolts"]] until September from Orly then liaison squadrons used the airfield until October [[1945]]. |
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Until March [[1947]] the American USAAF '''1408th Army Air Force Base Unit''' was the primary operator at Orly Field, when control was returned to the French Government. Orly was reactivated as a commercial airport on [[1 January]] [[1948]], however the [[United States Air Force]]'s '''1630th Air Base Squadron''' leased a small portion on the east side of the Airport |
Until March [[1947]] the American USAAF '''1408th Army Air Force Base Unit''' was the primary operator at Orly Field, when control was returned to the French Government. |
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== NATO Use == |
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Orly was reactivated as a commercial airport on [[1 January]] [[1948]], however the [[United States Air Force]]'s '''1630th Air Base Squadron''' leased a small portion on the east side of the Airport. |
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The first NATO tenant at Aeroport Orly-Paris was the [[United States Air Force]] [[Military Air Transport Service]] in [[June]] [[1950]]. Agreement was reached on [[10 November]] 1950 on a new lease to allow for aircraft parking. Also located on this parcel were five usable Quonset huts. |
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On [[1 April]] [[1951]] the Air Base Squadron was expanded to support the air transport needs of [[Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe]] (SHAPE), which was activated on the same day. Another important mission developing at Orly Air Base was providing aircraft and facilities to maintain the flying proficiency of USAF pilots assigned to the Paris region. On [[10 October]] [[1951]] the 1630th AB Squadron was upgraded to the '''1606th Air Base Group'''. |
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Post World War II international diplomatic and military travel was changing from ship and rail to aircraft transportation, requiring a special air terminal in the Paris area for [[NATO]] meetings. The primary use of Orly Airport was to meet the needs of political and military leaders going to Paris or traveling southeast to [[Fontainebleau]], or west to Camp des Loges and [[Rocquencourt]]. |
Post World War II international diplomatic and military travel was changing from ship and rail to aircraft transportation, requiring a special air terminal in the Paris area for [[NATO]] meetings. The primary use of Orly Airport was to meet the needs of political and military leaders going to Paris or traveling southeast to [[Fontainebleau]], or west to Camp des Loges and [[Rocquencourt]]. |
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Revision as of 17:58, 24 February 2007
For the French civilan use of this facility, see Paris - Orly Airport
Paris-Orly Air Base was located at Aeroport de Paris-Orly, nine miles (15 km) south of Paris off Autoroute A6/A10m with a highway exit directly into the base.
Origins
Orly Airport was opened in 1932 as a secondary civil airport to Le Bourget. During World War II Orly Airport was used by the occupying German Luftwaffe and was repeatedly bombed by the Royal Air Force and United States Army Air Force (USAAF), with runways, buildings and hangars being destroyed.
After the Battle of Normandy, Orly was repaired by the USAAF Ninth Air Force in July and August 1944 and used as tactical airfield A-47. The 50th Fighter Group flew P-47 "Thunderbolts" until September from Orly then liaison squadrons used the airfield until October 1945.
Until March 1947 the American USAAF 1408th Army Air Force Base Unit was the primary operator at Orly Field, when control was returned to the French Government.
NATO Use
Orly was reactivated as a commercial airport on 1 January 1948, however the United States Air Force's 1630th Air Base Squadron leased a small portion on the east side of the Airport.
The first NATO tenant at Aeroport Orly-Paris was the United States Air Force Military Air Transport Service in June 1950. Agreement was reached on 10 November 1950 on a new lease to allow for aircraft parking. Also located on this parcel were five usable Quonset huts.
On 1 April 1951 the Air Base Squadron was expanded to support the air transport needs of Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), which was activated on the same day. Another important mission developing at Orly Air Base was providing aircraft and facilities to maintain the flying proficiency of USAF pilots assigned to the Paris region. On 10 October 1951 the 1630th AB Squadron was upgraded to the 1606th Air Base Group.
Post World War II international diplomatic and military travel was changing from ship and rail to aircraft transportation, requiring a special air terminal in the Paris area for NATO meetings. The primary use of Orly Airport was to meet the needs of political and military leaders going to Paris or traveling southeast to Fontainebleau, or west to Camp des Loges and Rocquencourt.
In 1954 USAF C-124 transports assisted the French by airlifting 500 paratroop/commandos and their equipment to Indochina, landing at Da Nang's Tourane Airfield during March. It was the longest troop airlift in history at that time. Later, wounded French soldiers were flown back to Orly from Saigon by USAF transports after the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in July.
By 1955 military flight operations from Orly were greatly reduced as the civil use of Orly was expanded. The United States Air Force's presence was reduced to supporting VIP transports and diplomatic flights, with most cargo and transport operations being shifted to Chateauroux-Deols Air Base about 125km southwest of Paris.
In 1967 the USAF closed their operations at Orly Airport, ending military use of the facility.
References
- McAuliffe, Jerome J: U.S. Air Force in France 1950-1967 (2005), Chapter 14, Paris-USAF Operations.