Ambérieu-en-Bugey Air Base Détachement Air 278 Ambérieu-en-Bugey  Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) Y-5 | |||||||||||||||
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 Jodel D140C Mousquetaire | |||||||||||||||
| Summary | |||||||||||||||
| Airport type | Military / public use | ||||||||||||||
| Owner | Government of France | ||||||||||||||
| Operator | Armée de l'air et de l'espace | ||||||||||||||
| Location | Ambérieu-en-Bugey,France | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 823 ft / 251 m | ||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 45°59′14″N005°19′42″E / 45.98722°N 5.32833°E /45.98722; 5.32833 | ||||||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||||||
  LFXA Location of airport inAin department Location of Ain department in France  | |||||||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||||||
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| Sources:[1][2] | |||||||||||||||
Ambérieu-en-Bugey Air Base (French:Détachement Air 278 Ambérieu-en-Bugey) (ICAO:LFXA) is a front-lineFrench Air and Space Force (French:Armée de l'air et de l'espace orALA) base located approximately 5 km north-northwest ofAmbérieu-en-Bugey, in theAindepartment of theRhône-Alpesregion in easternFrance.
Ambérieu-en-Bugey Air Base is a primary repair depot and supply centre for avionics, ground telecommunication equipment, navigation aids and the manufacture of simple equipment.
It also supports calibration and repair of all Armée de l'Air precision measuring equipment and the manufacture and repair of aircrew survival equipment.
Ambérieu has twoJodel D140C Mousquetaire aircraft assigned for courier duty.
Built duringWorld War II as a temporary all-weather airfield, the facility was constructed by theUnited States Army Air Forces XII Engineer Command during late August 1944 after German forces were cleared from the area. It was built on a graded surface usingPierced Steel Planking for runways and parking areas, as well as for dispersal sites. In addition, tents were used for billeting and also for support facilities; an access road was built to the existing road infrastructure; a dump for supplies, ammunition, and gasoline drums, along with a drinkable water and minimal electrical grid for communications and station lighting. The airfield was known asAmbérieu Airfield orAdvanced Landing Ground Y-5.
It was turned over to theTwelfth Air Force for operational use on 6 September 1944. The324th Fighter Group flewP-40 Warhawks from the field during September, after which it moved up toTavaux. Once the 324th moved out, Ambérieu Airfield became a rear area support base operated by the 1st Air Service Squadron for transport aircraft moving supplies and equipment to the front.
With the end of the war in Europe in May, 1945 the Americans began to withdraw their aircraft and personnel. Control of the airfield was turned over to French authorities on 29 May 1945.[3]
The airport resides at anelevation of 823 feet (251 m) abovemean sea level. It has one pavedrunway (01/19) with anasphalt surface measuring 2,000 by 30 metres (6,562 ft × 98 ft), and one turf landing surface (02/20) measuring 800 by 100 metres (2,625 ft × 328 ft).[1]
This article incorporatespublic domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency| International | |
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