The Phalsbourg Airshow

The airshow, one of the biggest helicopter airshows in Europe, is organized by the French Army Light Aviation (Aviation Légère de l'Armée de Terre - ALAT) and it happens every two years. The 2014 edition, which celebrated the 60th anniversary of ALAT, offered a selection of some of the most important military and civilian helicopters in operation today. The public was allowed to have a close view of the helicopters as they were pulled into the starting area providing excellent photo opportunities.

The show centre stage was taken by the machines operated by ALAT, including Gazelle, Puma, Tiger and the new NH90. Czech Republic sent a Mil Mi-17 and a Mil Mi-24 which performed an exciting flight display. A colourful flying display was offered by The Flying Bulls operating a Bo-105 and a Bell Cobra. Airbus Helicopters (previously Eurocopter) was represented by some of its most modern machines at the hands of French and German civilian operators. Helicopters seen included EC135, EC145 and EC155. Other helicopters to be seen were the AH-64 Apache from the Apache Solo Display (Netherlands) and an AS532 Cougar from the Swiss Air Force.

The Phalsbourg-Bourscheid Air Base

The creation of the airbase during the fifties was associated with the development of the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). At the beginning of the Cold War an agreement between NATO countries was aimed at the expansion of the United States military presence in Western Europe to counter the threat posed by the Soviet Union.

Following the search of an adequate airfield near the German border, in the East of France, an airfield near Phalsbourg was selected to receive the American military units. After the extensive expansion of the airfield between 1952 and 1955 the first USAF unit (23rd Helicopter Squadron) was stationed in the airbase. Throughout the years several USAF squadrons and wings were stationed at the airbase operating aircraft like the F-84 Thunderjet, F-101 Voodoo, F-86 Sabre, F-102 Delta Dagger and F-100 Super Sabre – the last tactical aircraft to operate from Phalsbourg Air Base.

With the withdrawal of French forces from NATO in 1966 the airbase was transferred to French administration in the following year. The airbase was renamed Quartier La Horie by the French Army and currently operates its 1st Regiment of Combat Helicopters (1er Régiment d'Hélicoptères de Combat - 1e RHC) one of the units of the French Army Light Aviation (Aviation Légère de l'Armée de Terre - ALAT). The unit operates Eurocopter Tiger, SA341D Gazelle, SA 330 Pumas, AS 532 Cougar and in the near future the NH90 Caiman.