Posted on 10/09/2005 5:11:33 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Germany's Rhein-Main Air Base Closing
By MATT MOORE, Associated Press Writer 26 minutes ago
The runways that once helped feed a blockaded Berlin, bade Elvis farewell after his Army service and provided the first glimpse of freedom for hostages returning from Iran now stand empty.
A hub of U.S. military activity for decades, Rhein-Main Air Base is being given back to Germany and its logistical functions taken over by bases at Ramstein and Spangdahlem. Ceremonies set for Monday will mark the handover, which will take until the end of the year.
"The mission has moved," said U.S. Air Force Col. Tom Schnee, who is overseeing the shutdown. "We're all set for the symbolic closure."
Since 1945, the air base has played a role in nearly every major conflict for the U.S. military, from ferrying troops to Europe and abroad, to providing support for the 1990 Gulf War, and again in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
The pilots who flew nonstop during the Berlin Airlift took off from the runways of Rhein-Main. For Marines injured in the 1982 bombing of their barracks in Lebanon that killed 242, the base was the first glimpse of home away from home. In January 1981, the 52 Americans held hostage for 444 days in Iran flew to Rhein-Main aboard C-9 Nightingales.
"It was a key base, the gateway to Europe for about 60 years," said Dr. Earl Moore, a Dallas physician who was a U.S. Navy aviator during the Berlin Airlift from 1947-48 and flew from Rhein-Main to West Berlin most days and nights. The Soviet Union cut off ground traffic in an attempt to starve the Allies out of Berlin in the first stand off of the Cold War.
Moore recalled having to sleep in cold, wooden barracks with no running water except for the first floor, barracks that used to house Nazi SS troopers.
Time moves on.
No more cheap Mosel-Saar-Ruwer wine for the troops.
I came to Germany in Oct 1975 through RM with my wife and left for the states in Dec 1978 with my wife a 2 year old daughter. A piece of my family history is passing by.
Nostalgia aside, we should have been out of Germany, and all of Europe for that matter, about 10 years ago.
Thanks for the post. Many fond memories of Rhein Mein and Frankfurt, and Weisbaden. There was a time when a silver dollar was worth it's weight in gold ;)
A Hollywood movie was made about the Airlift, using many military in the cast. "The Big Lift", released in April 1950, was filmed at Tempelhof and Rhein-Main.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042249/
Weisbaden;What a great time I had in Weisbaden, I was there my 16th and 17th year somethings I will remember for ever.
Move to Poland. We are appreciated there.
Good.
When can we close all the other bases and formerally and finally "end our occupation"? //sarcasm//.
Dang, so many base/sites have closed during my career, but I guess it's that way for all, plenty of bases from 50s/60s/70s are no longer around...
I understand this will damage the local economy there. They wanted us gone, I hope they enjoy the peace.
Any favorite bases? Sorry if I'm nosy.
Torrejon, Clark...
Me too...any more?
K.I. Sawyer...Shemya...
NAS Agana, Wake, Lajes, Goose Bay, Gander, Prestwick?
Johnston Island...
Howard AB.
Rhein Main was slated to close in '92-'93. The Germans wanted us to rebuild the buildings before we closed it.
Lotsa history, but the Germans want it for Frankfurt.
It was ready to close before Kosovo ops, then they turned it around for Kosovo, then OEF/OIF.
They must finally have the ramp done at Ramstein.
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