Aalborg Air Base ( ) is a military base for the Danish Air Force . It is located near Aalborg, Denmark.Aalborg Air Base shares its runway system as well as some services (Air Traffic Control etc) with Aalborg Lufthavn.

Residing Royal Danish Air Force units are:

• 721 Squadron which is an air transport squadron equipped with Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules and CL-604 Challenger aircraft

It is also the base for Denmark's elite Jægerkorpset special forces unit.Until its decommission on January 10, 2006, Aalborg Air Base was also home to:

• 726 Squadron which was a reconnaissance and fighter bomber squadron equipped with Lockheed F-16MLU Fighting Falcon aircraft.

The aircraft from this squadron were transferred to Skrydstrup Air Base instead.

History

When Germany invaded Denmark April 9, 1940 the German Luftwaffe (Air Force) launched one of the first airborne operations in history, in which paratroopers captured the airport. Aalborg Lufthavn was considered a crucial element in the ferrying of troops and equipments from Germany to Norway as it acted as a refuelling base for Luftwaffe transport planes, especially Junkers Ju 52/3m, during the campaign.

A well known air battle took place over the airport August 13, 1940 when a squadron of Royal Air Force Bristol Blenheim bombers attacked the German aircraft based there. All eleven attacking aircraft were shot down by either German anti-aircraft fire or Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter aircraft.

The Luftwaffe greatly expanded the airport which they called Fliegerhorst Aalborg West. After the war, an internment camp for Baltic German refugees was set up at the location.When the Royal Danish Air Force was created in 1950, it took over the Fliegerhorst.

See also

• List of the largest airports in the Nordic countries