Leopold Figl Air Base, formerly known as Brumowski Air Base, is a military airbase located near Tulln in Austria. It’s not just any ordinary airbase, though. It is steeped in history and reflects the fascinating evolution of Austria’s military.
As we stand here today, overlooking the airfield, let’s rewind the clock a bit. The base was first constructed in 1938 and was used by Nazi Germany’s Luftwaffe to train pilots. It later served as a base for air attacks on Yugoslavia during World War II. The base was occupied by the Soviets from 1945 until 1946 but it was the American takeover that brought a change in its purpose. Under US command, Tulln Air Base became a base for transport aircraft until 1955 when it was turned over to Austria.
Now, the base is known as Leopold Figl Air Base, named after Dr. Leopold Figl, who negotiated Austria’s State Treaty of 1955, leading to Austria’s independence. It shares its name with General Othmar Pabisch. He was a pioneer of military aviation and the first Air Force general in the Austrian Armed Forces.
Leopold Figl Air Base is a testament to Austria’s past and present. It serves as a symbol of Austria’s journey after World War II, a period marked by rebuilding, independence, and the establishment of their own armed forces. Today, the base is home to several squadrons of the Austrian Air Force, including helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. The base is also used as a training ground for aviation engineers.