Cold War ALternate Basing

From: M *@*.*


snip

What really surprizes me, is that the US tac fighters of
the cold war era stationed in Europe didn't, as far as
I know, plan for dispersed operatons. Did they really think
that their bases would survive in the 'big' war?

Actually there were several dispersment plans. Look at the autobahn, there were
more sites than the Luftwaffe could use. I remember someone pointing out a rest
stop near Stutgardt as being laid out as a parking ramp for fighters. We went
back and looked at it and it seemed plausible to me.

USAFE also had plans for deployment to other countries and civil airports.

It is interesting to note West German bridges used to have orange signs showing
maximum weight for tanks as well as trucks.

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired