Bas 60
Bas 60(Flygbassystem 60,Air Base System 60) was anair basesystem developed and used by theSwedish Air Forceduring theCold War.The system was based around defensiveforce dispersalofaircraftand its supporting ground operations across manykrigsflygbaser(wartime air bases) in case of war, primarily as a protective measure againstnuclear weapons.The purpose of the system was to make it complicated for an opponent to destroy the Swedish Air Force on the ground and thus ensure endurance for the air force in a conflict scenario. The plan was to disperse the air units so onekrigsflygbaswould house one squadron (8-12 aircraft). This dispersion principle also applied to the individual wartime bases themselves, meaning that the various functions of an air base were spread over a large area in and around the base.
The system originated from an air force inquiry in 1954 and was formally implemented in the 1958 defence plan. The original plan called for 70 wartime air bases to be built, with 46 of them to be equipped for continuous usage. The number of bases was however reduced with every revision of the plan and about 40 bases ended up being completed.
During peace time the air squadrons were stationed at their respectiveair wingand deployment to the wartime air bases would only occur when the threat level increased. But many of the air wings also doubled as wartime air bases. The wartime air bases were only manned by a smallerbastropp(basetroop) during peace time and the full base battalion would only be manned with amobilization(except during certain exercises). This was because the majority of the units were made up byconscripts.The base system was therefore never fully active during the time it existed, like the rest of the Swedish Armed Forces during the Cold War.
A wartime air base in the Bas 60 system functioned asordinarie bas(regular base), shortened as"O-bas"(R-base), for one or more type of aircraft;fighter,attackorreconnaissance.A regular base had the personnel and resources needed for maintaining and repairing the type of aircraft assigned to that base. Some bases also doubled astemporär bas(temporary base), shortened as"T-bas"(T-base), for one or more aircraft types. A temporary base only had capacity to refuel and rearm the type of aircraft it acted as temporary base for. All regular bases acted as temporary bases for fighter aircraft.
Road runwayswere also built to complement the wartime bases, acting as a backup bases.Civilian airportscould also be used as a backup alternative.
The system was further developed intoBas 90during the 1970s and 1980s.
Base layout
[edit]Main runway
[edit]The mainrunwaywas a typical runway at a length of 2,000–2,300 metres (6,600–7,500 ft) and 30–40 metres (98–131 ft) wide, with ataxiwayrunning parallel to it. Visual aids for pilots such asrunway lightswere installed. At the ends of the runway there were raisable and lowerable nets for capturing aircraft that were not able to take off or land properly.
Framom- Fore flight line position
[edit]Främre klargöringsområde (framom),fore flight line position, was the flight line position (apron) by the main runway, and was where fighter aircraft were to be prepared for missions and be on standby. A base usually had twoframompositions, one located at each end of the main runway. Oneframomposition had space for four aircraft. Attack and reconnaissance aircraft in need of complementary refueling could also be refueled atframom.Fighter aircraft on standby atframomwere directly connected to the bases communication net so the pilots could receive orders directly and take off immediately after receiving the order. When no aircraft were atframom,the groundcrew would evacuate the area as a safety measure and return when new aircraft came in.
Bakom- Rear flight line position
[edit]Bakre klargöringsområde (bakom),rear flight line position, was the flight line position for attack and reconnaissance aircraft.Bakomwas located 2–3 kilometres (1.2–1.9 mi) away from the main airfield and only bases that were regular bases for attack and reconnaissance aircraft had abakomposition. In case a base was a regular base for both attack and reconnaissance there were two separatebakompositions, referred to asbakom-attack(rear-attack) andbakom-spaning(rear-reconnaissance). Abakomposition had 10-15 individual aircraft spaces (hardstands) with a distance of 50 metres (160 ft) between each space, and aircraft currently inbakomwere to be separated as much as possible within the available aircraft spaces. This was to reduce the risk of having all aircraft destroyed in a single attack. The aircraft spaces could also be concealed withcamouflagenets.Bakomwas connected to the main airfield via a taxiway that in many cases waspublic roadintegrated into the base infrastructure, and aircraft could either taxi on their own between the sections of the base or be towed by a vehicle.
Uom- Staging area
[edit]Uppställningsområdet (uom),staging area, was where aircraft undergoing long-term maintenance, such as repairs, or not being in immediate use were kept.Uomwas located 5–10 kilometres (3.1–6.2 mi) away from the main airfield. Auomhad fieldhangarsfor maintenance work and a site forengineswapping and testing. Just like atbakomthe aircraft spaces atuomcould be concealed with camouflage nets and was connected with the rest of the base via a taxiway that often was public road. Most of the aircraftgroundcrewand their equipment would be positioned atuom.
Road runways and reserve bases
[edit]To complement the ordinary Bas 60 bases,reservvägbaser(road runways) were built to act as a backup alternative. Selected sections of public roads that were suitable for the purpose were widened to give enough space for aircraft to take-off and land. The typical dimensions for areservvägbas(road runway) was 1,500–2,000 metres (4,900–6,600 ft) in length and 12 metres (39 ft) in width. One or two runway aprons were built near each end of the runway. About 30 road runways were built, primarily in the southern and eastern parts of Sweden. Usage of the road runways were limited by adverse light and weather conditions, which is why they were primarily considered a backup alternative. Utilizing a road runway required relocating units and resources from an ordinary base, and certain field works around the runway were often necessary before it could be used.
Selected civilian airports were later added as additional reserve bases.
Operations
[edit]Kommandocentral- Command centre
[edit]The air traffic operations on a base were led and organized from akommandocentral(command centre), abbreviated asKC,located in an underground bunker a few kilometers away from the airfield. AKCwas manned by 6-8 people, including theduty officer.
TLF- The traffic leader at the field
[edit]Trafikledaren vid fältet (TLF),the traffic leader at the field, was stationed at the main runway and assisted the air traffic operations. In casekommandocentralenwas unavailable or stopped functioning theTLFcould take over control of air traffic operations. TheTLFoperated from a special cart that was equipped with base radio, air traffic radio, telephone and controls for runway functions such as lighting.
Stabsplats- Command post
[edit]The overarching and long term operations on base were led and organized from astabsplats(command post). This command post would be located in one or more buildings (often a school) in a nearby town or city. Thestabsplatsalso acted as thecampfor many of the base units, including the medical, meteorology and security units.
Basbataljon 60- Base battalion
[edit]One base was operated by abasbataljon 60(base battalion type 60), with the battalion chief in charge of the overall operations on the base. A fully mobilized battalion consisted of 1200-1500 men, but in peace time a base was normally operated by 2-3 technical officers and 10-15 conscripted flight mechanics. During larger exercises all or part of the full base battalion would be called in.
One base battalion consisted of the following units:
- Stabskompani(command company): command and administration of the base.
- Stationskompani(station company): aircraft groundcrew and maintenance.
- Intendenturkompani(commissariat company): supply and logistics.
- Flygfältsarbetskompani(field works company): base infrastructure repair and maintenance.
- Skyddskompani(security company): base security, removal of unexploded ordnance and fire fighting.
- Sjukvårdspluton(medical platoon): first aid and medical care.
The defense of the base could also be reinforced withinfantryandanti-airunits from theSwedish Army.
Further development
[edit]In the 1970s and 1980s the Bas 60 system was developed into Bas 90 to accommodate new needs and threats.
Today
[edit]With the end of the cold war the Bas 60 and Bas 90 system was scrapped, and many of the wartime air bases have been demilitarized and sold to civilian owners.
List of Bas 60 air bases
[edit]Karlsborg
Hasslösa
Facility number | Airfield | Code 1 | Code 2 | Year(s) built | Other |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anl 101 | Skellefteå | – | – | ? | Civilian airport |
Anl 102 | Gunnarn | fält 28 | 60 | 1968 | Built to Bas 90 in 1987. |
Anl 103 | Hagshult | C 18 | 29 | 1961 | Built to Bas 90 in 1983. Still in use. |
Anl 105 | Moholm | fält 8 | 36 | ? | |
Anl 107 | Everöd | fält 4 | 20 | ? | |
Anl 109 | Tierp | fält 14 | 48 | 1965 | |
Anl 111 | Örnsköldsvik | – | – | ? | Civilian airport |
Anl 113 | Heden | fält 32 | 61 | 1956, 1959 | |
Anl 115 | Råda | fält 20 | 37 | 1971 | Built to Bas 90 in 1990-91. |
Anl 118 | Hultsfred | fält 37 | 28 | 1969 | |
Anl 119 | Fällfors | fält 40 | 66 | 1958, 1961 | Built to Bas 90 in 1983. |
Anl 121 | Sjöbo | fält 1 | 23 | 1960, 1968 | |
Anl 126 | Hasslösa | fält 6 | 35 | 1958 | |
Anl 128 | SAAB | – | – | 1964, 1967 | |
Anl 130 | Uråsa | fält 88 | 27 | 1964 | |
Anl 131 | Lidköping | fält 21 | 34 | 1958 | |
Anl 136 | Rommehed | fält 15 | 44 | 1960 | Built to Bas 90 in 1990. |
Anl 138 | Eneryda | fält 89 | 30 | 1969 | Main runway on public road. |
Anl 142 | Kungsängen | C 4 | 41 | 1963, 1966 | Civilian airport |
Anl 143 | Kjula | fält 56 | 46 | 1962 | Built to Bas 90 in 1987. |
Anl 147 | Visby | C 25 | 43 | 1968 | Built to Bas 90 in 1992. |
Anl 157 | Kiruna | – | – | 1971 | Civilian airport |
Anl 160 | Vidsel | fält 42 | 62 | 1965 | Built to Bas 90 in 1989. TodayVidsel Test Range. |
Anl 161 | Tågra | fält 81 | – | 1965 | Main runway on public road. |
Anl 163 | Sättna | fält 45 | 58 | 1963 | |
Anl 166 | Kosta | fält 87 | 31 | 1963 | |
Anl 170 | Kubbe | fält 44 | 57 | ? | Built to Bas 90 in 1990. |
Anl 171 | Åmsele | fält 41 | 67 | 1960 | Built to Bas 90 in 1985. |
Anl 172 | Knislinge | fält 84 | 25 | 1963 | |
Anl 173 | Gimo | fält 54 | 49 | 1960 | |
Anl 175 | Strängnäs | fält 57 | 50 | 1963 | |
Anl 176 | Björkvik | fält 58 | 42 | 1967-68 | |
Anl 177 | Byholma | fält 85 | 26 | 1961 | Built to Bas 90 in 1989. |
Anl 178 | Ålem | fält 83 | – | 1968 | Main runway on public road. |
Anl 181 | Färila | fält 46 | 59 | 1967 | Built to Bas 90 in 1991. |
Anl 185 | Piteå | fält 48 | 68 | 1970 | |
Anl 186 | Sturup | – | – | 1972 | Civilian airport |
Anl 189 | Jokkmokk | fält 49 | 69 | 1970-71 | Built to Bas 90 in 1988. Still in use. |
Anl 301 | Hässlö | F 1 | 01 | 1976 | F 1 Hässlö.Partially built to Bas 90 in 1991. |
Anl 303 | Malmen | F 3 | 03 | 1966 | F 3 Malmslätt.Partially built to Bas 90 in 1992. |
Anl 304 | Frösön | F 4 | 04 | 1962 | F 4 Frösön.Built to Bas 90 in 1991. |
Anl 305 | Ljungbyhed | F 5 | 05 | ? | F 5 Ljungbyhed.Partially built to Bas 90 in 1985. |
Anl 306 | Karlsborg | F 6 | 06 | ? | F 6 Karlsborg |
Anl 307 | Såtenäs | F 7 | 07 | ? | F 7 Såtenäs.Built to Bas 90 in 1990-91. |
Anl 308 | Barkaby | F 8 | 08 | ? | F 8 Barkarby |
Anl 310 | Ängelholm | F 10 | 10 | 1970 | F 10 Ängelholm |
Anl 311 | Nyköping | F 11 | 11 | 1969 | F 11 Nyköping |
Anl 312 | Kalmar | F 12 | 12 | 1970 | F 12 Kalmar |
Anl 313 | Bråvalla | F 13 | 13 | 1977 | F 13 Norrköping.Partially built to Bas 90 in 1981. |
Anl 315 | Söderhamn | F 15 | 15 | 1975 | F 15 Söderhamn.Partially built to Bas 90 in 1978. |
Anl 316 | Uppsala | F 16 | 16 | 1970 | F 16 Uppsala.Partially built to Bas 90. |
Anl 317 | Ronneby | F 17 | 17 | 1961 | F 17 Kallinge. |
List of Bas 60 road runways
[edit]The Bas 60 road runways are not to be confused with the short runways in theBas 90system, which in many cases also were built on public road. The Bas 90 short runways belonged to a larger air base and were therefore not counted as individual bases, unlike the Bas 60 road runways.
Airfield | Designation | Year(s) built | Other |
---|---|---|---|
Revinge | S17 | 1967 | |
Jämjö | S71 | 1965-66 | |
Hallabro | – | 1966 | |
Hovmantorp | S46 | 1966 | |
Tokebo | S11 | 1966 | Used for training |
Målerås | – | – | |
Lammhult | – | 1966 | |
Falkenberg | S21 | 1964-65 | |
Follingbo | – | 1970 | |
Bro | B0 | 1964 | |
Hjo | – | 1967 | |
Klockrike | – | 1964 | |
Tillinge | B32 | 1965 | |
Heby | – | 1964-65 | Used for training |
Åland | S97 | 1964-65 | |
Björklinge | – | 1966 | |
Gimo | S95 | 1964 | |
Gysinge | S41 | 1964 | |
Skärplinge | – | 1966 | |
Älvkarleby | S81 | 1966 | |
Mokorset | R8 | 1964-65 | |
Norrala | – | 1965 | |
Jämtkrogen | – | 1968 | |
Överhörnäs | R19 | 1964 | |
Bjurholm | – | 1966 | |
Finnträsk | S65 | 1965 | |
Långträsk | – | 1966 | Used for training |
Vidsel | R91 | 1967 | |
Jokkmokk | – | – |
References
[edit]Books
[edit]- Andersson, Lennart, ed. (2008).Svenska flygbaser.Flyghistorisk revy; [Specialnr 2008]Publikation / Försvaret och det kalla kriget (FOKK), 1652-5388; 13 (in Swedish). Stockholm: Svensk flyghistorisk förening (SFF).ISSN0345-3413.SELIBR11255837.
- Andersson, Lennart (2010).ÖB:s klubba: flygvapnets attackeskader under kalla kriget.Publikation / Försvaret och det kalla kriget (FOKK), 1652-5388; 24 (in Swedish). Stockholm: Svenskt militärhistoriskt bibliotek.ISBN9789185789740.SELIBR11958220.
- Andersson, Lennart, ed. (2016).Svenskt flyg under kalla kriget(in Swedish). Stockholm: Medström.ISBN9789173291347.SELIBR18615728.
Web
[edit]- Rystedt, Jörgen (2005-10-01)."Flygbassystem 60"(PDF)(in Swedish). Försvarets Historiska Telesamlingar.Retrieved19 March2019.
- Törnell, Bernt (January 2007)."Svenska militära flygbaser"(PDF)(in Swedish). Tomelilla:Swedish Fortifications Agency.Retrieved19 March2019.
- Andersson, Lennart (November 2006)."Svenska reservvägbaser"(PDF)(in Swedish). Uppsala:Swedish Fortifications Agency.Retrieved19 March2019.