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Dreux-Louvillier Air Base is a former United States Air Force base in France . It is located in the Eure-et-Loir Département of France, located 18 miles southwest of Dreux , and about 4 miles south of Brezolles . ORIGNS During the 1920 's and 1930 's, a small civil aviation aerodrome was built near Dreux, and during World War II, the United States Army Air Force 9th Air Force constructed a facility to operate fighter, tactical bomber and also transport aircraft in 1944 . The USAAF 366th Fighter Group arrived at Dreux on 24 August , flying P-47 "Thunderbolts . On 11 September , the 397th Bombardment Group (Medium) took up residence with B-26 "Marauder" tactical bombers, and on 3 November the 441st Troop Carrier group arrived with C-47 "Skytrain" , pulling gliders in the airborne assault across the Rhine. After the war, the airfield at Dreux was closed and civil flight operations by the French were shifted to nearby Vernouillet Airport. NATO ACQUISITION With the outbreak of the Cold War in the late 1940's, with the Berlin Airlift and the ongoing threat from the Soviet Union to Western Europe, negotations begain in November 1950 between NATO and the United States to establish air bases and station combat wings in France to meet European defense needs. During the negotiations for selection sites, the World War II airfield at Dreux was proposed for expansion into a modern air base. However, the French government rejected airfield at Dreux, citing the expansion of Orly Airport near Paris presenting a conflict with airspace traffic, and plans were in the works to expand Vernouillet into a commercial site. By the summer of 1951 another location near the village of Dampierre , about 3 miles south of Brezolles was selected as a base to support the United States Air Force as a tactical airlift base. This location would become Dreux Air Base. USAF USE Construction of Dreux-Louvillier Air Base began in September 1952 with the construction of roads and a railroad spur. In November, runway construction began along with various taxiways, hardstands and hangars. Building construction continued for the next several years, and by the summer of 1955 the base was ready for it's American occupants. 60th Troop Carrier Wing The 60th Troop Carrier Wing with the 10th, 11th, and 12th TC squadrons, flying C-119F "Flying Boxcars" relocated from Rhein-Main AB , West Germany on 15 October 1955 . The 60 thprovided airlift for USAFE, worked with Army paratroopers, and was involved in humanitarian airlift missions. Another airlift unit, the 309th Troop Carrier Group arrived from Sewart AFB , Tennessee , to join the 60th TCW at Dreux on 1 June 1956 . They flew C-123Bs , providing logistical support to all USAFE bases until 10 August 1958 , when they returned with their aircraft to Tennessee. On 12 March 1957 HQ, 60th TCW was deactivted. Command of it's squadrons of C-119's was transferred to the Wing Headquarters. The wing itself was deactivated on 25 September 1958 . 309th Troop Carrier Group On 22 May 1956 Dreux saw the arrival of the 309th Troop Carrier Group , flying C-123B "Providers" . The 309th arrived from Ardmore AFB , Oklaholma , and its mission was to increase USAFE's tatical airlift capability and to assist in improving dispersed base deployment concepts. The 309th TCG consisted of the 376th, 377th and 378th TC Squadrons. On 20 April 1958 USAFE decided that the C-123's were too expensive to operate in Europe and notified the 309th to return to the United States. The group returned to Ardmore AFB in July . Most of the C-123's were returned to the states, being assigned to Air Force Reserve units. 322nd Air Division With the deactivation of the 60th TCW, the 322nd Air Division became the host unit at Dreux AB in September 1958 . In March 1960 USAFE budget reductions eliminated the 10th, 11th, and 12th TC squadrons, deactivating them in Janurary 1961 . Personnel at Dreux were reassigned to other USAFE units, with a small caretaker organization, the 317th Air Base Group remaining with the base being put into a reserve status. The 317th ABG was supported logistally by Evreux AB . Manpower and budget shortages prevented adequate maintence at Dreux and the condition of the base began to deteriorate after its inactivation. There were few flight operations from the base and the facility fell into a state of disrepair. 1961 Berlin Crisis On 3 November 1961 , Dreux AB was reopened and occupied by the temporary 7117th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing and its 106th Tactical Reconnasance Squadron of the 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard , flying RF-84Fs . However, problems developed immediately after their arrival at Dreux. French air traffic controllers prevented jet flying from Dreux AB due to high density commercial air traffic in the Paris region. The 106th TRS had to move it's aircraft to Chaumont AB on 8 December 1961 , to fly but USAFE insisted that the 7117th Wing continue to operate Dreux for airlift traffic. On 22 July 1962 the 106th TRS returned to Alabama, and Dreux AB was placed back in standby status by USAFE. USAF Closure Following the departure of the ANG units in 1962, the 322nd Air Division operated the base, assigning the 7305th Combat Support Group as the host unit at Dreux. Dreux had no flying units assgined and no support aircraft, being occasinally used by transient C-119 and C-130's for training missions. On 7 March 1966 , French President Charles De Gaulle announced that France would withdraw from NATO's integrated military military structure. The United States was informed that it must remove it's military forces from France by 1 April 1967 . In May the removal of all American property began and was completed by November 1966 . Dreux Air Base was returned to French control on 24 March 1967 . Dreux-Louvillier AB USAF Emblems USAF Aircraft Types At Dreux AB CURRENT USES After the American return of the facility to the French, the base was shut down and put into care and maintence status. It is a secured facility, but is not used for any flight operations. Some of its buildings are used for storage of supplies and equipment by the French Air Force . However, most of the base appears to be abandoned and overrun by vegetation. REFERENCES
SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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