Zweibrücken Air Base was a NATO military air base in West Germany . It was located SSW of Kaiserslautern and SE of Zweibrücken. It was assigned to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) during its operational lifetime. It was a constituent member of the Kaiserslautern Military Community. The military facility was closed in 1991 after the Cold War ended, the site now serving as the civilian Zweibrücken Airport. Units Major commands to which assigned Royal Canadian Air Force, January 6, 1953 – August 29, 1969 United States Air Force in Europe, August 29, 1969 – July 31, 1991 Major USAF units assigned 7181st Combat Support Squadron, August 29 – November 1, 1969 86th Tactical Fighter Wing, November 1, 1969 – January 31, 1973 26th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, January 31, 1973 – July 31, 1991 10th Military Airlift Squadron, November 9, 1983 – July 31, 1991 609th Contingency Hospital, October 15, 1984 – July 31, 1991 601st Tactical Control Squadron, June 1, 1989 – July 31, 1991 612th Tactical Control Flight, June 1, 1989 – July 31, 1991 2143rd Communications Squadron, December 1, 1969 - July 31, 1991 Construction Construction of the base was initiated by French Army engineers and German contractors in 1950 on a section of the former Siegfried Line. The crumpled remains of many of the bunkers of the old line are still in evidence. It was designed by French engineers and completed by German contractors in late 1952. Construction was funded from USAF sources; however, the RCAF assumed control of the Zweibrücken base on January 6, 1953. RCAF Station Zweibrücken RCAF Station Zweibrücken, also known as 3 Wing or 3 (F) Wing was one of four RCAF wings, consisting of three fighter squadrons each, established in Europe at the beginning of the Cold War. These four wings were part of the RCAF's No. 1 Air Division, which was formed as part of Canada's air defence commitment to NATO during the Cold War. Other bases were located in Marville, France; Grostenquin, France; and Baden-Soellingen, West Germany. Three squadrons flying F-86 Sabres were located at Zweibrücken: 413, 427, and 434. Command was in place March 1953, with the three Squadrons of Canadair F86 Sabres arriving at Zweibrücken April 7 1953, crossing from Canada on Operation "Leapfrog III", a month long crossing due to weather. No. 413 Squadron was replaced in