Bundeswehr is expanding the Holzdorf site into a central military location

The Schönewalde/Holzdorf air force base on the state border of Saxony-Anhalt and Brandenburg continues to grow into one of the most important military locations in the east. Today, Helicopter Squadron 64 was reorganized at the location, a Bundeswehr spokesman said. The squadron leadership is moving its headquarters from Laupheim in Baden-Württemberg to Holzdorf.

Structural foundation created

The occasion is the introduction of the CH-47F Chinook heavy transport helicopter. The restructuring will gradually create the prerequisites for future flight operations of the CH-47 in the Air Force, which will begin in the fall of next year, as the spokesman said. A total of three squadrons are to be created: two squadrons will take on air transport tasks, and another is intended for rescue and repatriation tasks.

47 new transport helicopters

The Holzdorf Air Base will be extensively expanded to accommodate the new tasks. According to the Bundeswehr, the main construction work should be completed by 2030. “Around 700 additional, mostly military positions are planned, as well as 47 new transport helicopters,” said the spokesman. According to the Bundeswehr, around 2,000 soldiers and civilian forces are currently stationed at the site. The first Chinook helicopter is scheduled to arrive in Holzdorf at the end of 2027.

The Arrow 3 missile defense system from Israel will also be further implemented at the site. It should be able to destroy incoming rockets at high altitudes and be fully operational by 2030. The procurement of the system is a response to the threat from Russia and is intended to close a gap in air defense.

Brandenburg is investing around 100 million euros in the region from structural funding. Among other things, it concerns infrastructure such as roads and the railway line, but also daycare centers, after-school care centers and schools. Around 700 million euros will be invested in the military location. According to the Brandenburg state government, the largest single measure concerns the construction of storage and maintenance halls. The larger part of the air base is in the southwest of Brandenburg and the smaller part is in the southeast of Saxony-Anhalt.