From 1951 to 1967, the United States Air Force under NATO operated the Chaumont-Semoutiers Air Base on the outskirts of the city. 390st TFS (Chambley AB, Yellow striping). The larger-bodied F-100 was capable of carrying more ordnance than the F-86 and was one of the first fighters designed to operate at supersonic speeds. The 106th remained and operated from Chaumont until its inactivation and departure for CONUS in July 1962. During World War I the Haute-Marne département was one of the bloodiest areas of France with many battles fought on its soil. Press alt + / to open this menu. Chaumont from the air, believed to be around the time the airfield was completed around 1951-1952. Create New Account. The 7117th was another Air National Guard wing called to active duty during the Berlin Crisis, but was prohibited from flying its RF-84s from Dreux due to flight restrictions in the Orly Airport area. This was not to be, however. The aircraft finally arrived at Chaumont on 25 June, being the first USAF tactical air fighters to be based permanently in France, albeit working mostly from tents and temporary wooden buildings on their new base. Sign Up. Chaumont (XCW-Chaumont Semoutiers Air Base) is located in a welcoming area of Semoutiers-Montsaon that travelers like for its restaurants. All rights reserved - Embedding the contents of this site in another domain without the explicit prior permission from the webmaster/owner is strictly prohibited. How can we tour the airbase near Chaumont. The 480th TFS operated at Chaumont until runway repairs were completed at Phalsbourg and then deployed there on 20 December. For the first two years of residence at Chaumont, the wing headed up an engineering project that resulted in the construction of permanent barracks, a wing headquarters, flightline shops, and warehouses. In addition, the F-84G was being phased out of the USAF since 1958 and there was a shortage of pilots and trained mechanics in USAFE for the model, which was aggrevated by personnel issues such as married personnel avoiding assignments in France due to poor housing conditions, which meant that most assigned personnel were first-term airmen with little, or elementary job skills. In France, the deployed elements of the 108th TFW were designated the 7108th Tactical Wing on 20 November due to the reduced strength of the wing in Europe. Chaumont was bombed in 1940 and 1944 during World War II. Also, the cost of maintaining USAFE bases in France were significantly higher. In November 1953, the wing exchanged its F-84Cs for newer F-86F "Sabres", receiving 75 aircraft, 25 per squadron, which were exchanged only 3 years later for a newer aircraft: the F-100D "Super Sabre". To accomplish this mission, up to 30 sorties were flown each day. Statue dedication ceremony, Chaumont Air Base, 4 July 1956 (USAF, 48FW. In addition to the flying units being dispersed, the 366th also formed Combat Support Groups at each base to support the flying operations. The wing began realigning its units 15 March 1957, as part of an Air Force worldwide reorganization. We are visiting in mid 'april and would like very much to see that area. 16 Oct - 18 Oct. Next weekend. It seems the airfield was still in use, as all the runway markers are still there, and there are no 'X' makings on the runways. The 366th TFW was bestowed the heritage of the 366th Fighter Group, a World War II Ninth Air Force unit that fought in France providing tactical air support for the U.S. First Army. COVID-19 Travel Alert If you have an upcoming booking to change or cancel, please check next steps and policies. The monument still exists today on Chaumont Air Base. The first elements of the 108th deployed to Chaumont from McGuire AFB on 16 October with the last aircraft and personnel arriving on 6 November. Obviously the airfield was closed during the event. CD-ROM. While at Chaumont, the 137th flew 61 F-84G's, approximately 20 aircraft per squadron, and in addition there were 2 C-47s, a T-6F, and 3 T-33A support aircraft. Of feudal origin, Chaumont is the former seat of the Comtes de Champagne– counts of Champagne – and has thus early benefited from a strategic position. Return to Gallery. The initial deployment of personnel began on 4 June. It is located two miles (3 km) southwest of the city of Chaumont, Haute-Marne, just to the west of the Route Nationale 67 (N67) highway about 0.5 miles (1 km) north of Semoutiers-Montsaon in the Haute-Marne département of northeast France. Each hardstand held one or two aircraft, and allowed the planes to be spaced approximately 150 feet (50 m) apart. The aircraft arrived at Chaumont on 25 June, being the first USAF tactical air fighters to be based permanently in France, albeit working mostly in tents and temporary wooden buildings on their new base. Log In. The men and women of the 48th worked hard to develop Chaumont-Semoutiers Air Base into one of the best air bases in Europe. On 5 November, the 24/7 alert was stood down and operations returned to normal peacetime levels. In November 1953, the wing exchanged its F-84Cs for newer F-86F "Sabre", receiving 75 aircraft, 25 per squadron. In addition, there were two C-47s, a T-6F, and three T-33A support aircraft. We had family stationed there in the US Airforce in the mid 1950's foir 3 years. Chaumont (XCW-Chaumont Semoutiers Air Base) is located in a welcoming area of Semoutiers-Montsaon that travellers like for its restaurants. In addition to the Army, the French National Military Police Force (Gendarmerie Nationale) has also taken up residence at Chaumont-Semoutiers. The wing simply continued to build on the 7108th Tactical Wing's missions. The 48th developed into the premier fighter wing in France, serving the longest, from 10 July 1952 through 15 January 1960. Cancel free on most hotels. The few National Guardsmen still with the wing departed and the last were released from active duty on 9 July, although a few reserve officers remained on active duty for an additional six to twelve months. Its squadrons remained unchanged while flying three different type of fighters, the F-84G, F-86F and the F-100D, and maintaining the capability to fight either a conventional or nuclear war if need be. Minimum facilities, consisting of 255 tent frames built on concrete floors and 24 prefab wood buildings with utilities, were ready for USAF use by April 1952 but the entire facility was a work in progress until 1956. The ground units deployed by sealift, with the deployed elements reaching Chaumont by 17 November. This construction can be seen clearly in the satellite image link at the bottom of this article. The monument still exists today on Chaumont Air Base. Deliveries of services in France had always been a problem since the USAF bases were established in the early 1950s. Chaumont Air Base, France 1962. The 48th frequently deployed to Wheelus AFB, Libya for training. F-84Fs from the 7108th Tactical Wing in formation over Chaumont - 1962. Price for 1 night 2 adults* £130 . By 27 November, the wing assembled Alexandria Municipal Airport Louisiana for conversion training in the newer F-84Gs. The base became a satellite of Toul AB, being maintained by the 7544th Combat Support Group. The 366th was also the last USAFE tactical fighter wing formed in Europe. Its squadrons remained unchanged while flying three different type of fighters, the F-84G, F-86F and the F-100D, and maintaining the capability to fight either a conventional or nuclear war if need be. In the early morning, the wing's three fighter squadrons lifted off Chaumont's runway and, after making farewell passes over the outlying village, headed toward the English Channel. (, Military Airfield Directory - Airfields of the Cold War, Paul Freeman's Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields. See more of Chaumont AB Alumni on Facebook. Various delays, however, pushed runway construction back to October. In 1999, the French Army 61e Régiment d'artillerie (61e RA) Aerial Surveillance Regiment arrived at Chaumont equipped with CL 289 and SAGEM Sperwer drones. Only a portion of the 108th TFW actually deployed to France due to DOD budget limitations, consisting of 28 F-84F's of the 141st TFS and officers and airmen from all three squadrons, while the remaining aircraft and personnel remained on active duty at their home stations. 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