Modern German Air Force

The modern German Air Force, known as the Luftwaffe, was established in 1956 during the Cold War as the air branch of West Germany's military. Following reunification in 1990, parts of the former East German Air Force, which had been part of the National People’s Army since 1956, were integrated into the Luftwaffe. It's important to note that today’s Luftwaffe is distinct from the Nazi-era Luftwaffe, which existed from 1935 to 1945 and was disbanded after World War II. Nonetheless, the term "Luftwaffe" is often used to refer to both the World War II-era air force and the modern German military.

The Evolution of the Luftwaffe

After World War II, Germany faced strict limitations on aviation, including a complete ban on military aircraft imposed by the Allies in 1946. This changed in 1955 when West Germany joined NATO, paving the way for the Luftwaffe's official reestablishment on January 9, 1956, as part of the Bundeswehr. Some well-known World War II pilots, such as Erich Hartmann, joined the newly formed force. The first aircraft received by the Luftwaffe were Republic F-84 Thunderstreaks, delivered in early 1956. Initially, the Luftwaffe was organized under two command structures, aligning with NATO's Second Allied Tactical Air Force (led by the UK) and Fourth Allied Tactical Air Force (led by the US).

In the early years, key units were established, such as the 61st Air Transport Wing (Lufttransportgeschwader 61, LTG 61), equipped with Douglas Dakota transport aircraft, and the 31st Fighter-Bomber Wing (Jagdbombergeschwader 31, JaBo 31), armed with American Thunderstreak aircraft. The 71st Fighter Wing (Jagdgeschwader 71, JG 71), which received Canadian Sabre fighters, was also founded. By 1963, the Luftwaffe's command structure was reorganized into two mixed air divisions, while the 7th Air Division and German Naval Aviation were under NATO's Joint Forces Command near the Baltic Sea.

In 1960, the Luftwaffe received its first F-104 Starfighter interceptors, which became a mainstay during the Cold War. The last F-104s were retired in the early 1990s. In the 1970s, the Luftwaffe acquired a number of new aircraft, including C-160 Transall transport planes, Alpha Jet trainers, as well as F-4 Phantom and Panavia Tornado fighters.

After Germany's reunification in 1990, aircraft and personnel from the East German Air Force (Luftstreitkräfte der NVA) were integrated into the Luftwaffe. Soviet aircraft, such as the Su-17, MiG-21, MiG-23, and MiG-29, were gradually replaced with modern NATO aircraft. The MiG-29s, which served with the 73rd Fighter Wing (Jagdgeschwader 73, JG 73), were replaced by Eurofighter Typhoons in 2004.

In 2018, the Luftwaffe began replacing its aging Panavia Tornado fighters, considering options from manufacturers such as Eurofighter Typhoon, F-15 Advanced Eagle, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and F-35 Lightning.

In March 2022, German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht announced plans to acquire 35 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighters to replace the Tornado. This decision was driven by the fact that the Tornado was the only aircraft in Germany capable of carrying American nuclear weapons. Additionally, Germany plans to purchase 15 Eurofighter Typhoon electronic warfare aircraft to replace the older Growler. In April 2022, Germany also selected the CH-47F Chinook to replace the aging Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters as part of the modernization program for heavy transport helicopters (Schwerer Transporthubschrauber, STH).

Combat History of the Modern Luftwaffe

The modern German Air Force encountered combat situations soon after its formation. In September 1956, two Republic F-84F Thunderstreaks from JaBoG 32 accidentally violated East German airspace during the NATO exercise "Checkmate" due to poor weather and pilot errors. They were intercepted by East German Air Force fighters but managed to evade pursuit and landed safely at Berlin's Tegel Airport, which was then controlled by the French. A similar incident occurred in 1962 when a German Navy Hawker Sea Hawk was shot down.

The first combat operations involving the Luftwaffe took place in the 1990s. In September 1995, during Operation "Deliberate Force," Luftwaffe Tornado aircraft supported NATO artillery by striking Bosnian Serb positions in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In 1999, the Luftwaffe actively participated in the military campaign in Kosovo alongside other NATO members. The Tornado aircraft conducted missions to suppress enemy air defenses in the Kosovo region. In 2005 and 2008, Luftwaffe F-4F Phantom II fighters were involved in NATO missions to patrol the airspace of the Baltic States.

In 2006, to support operations in Afghanistan, the Luftwaffe deployed Panavia Tornado reconnaissance aircraft from the 51st Reconnaissance Wing "Immelmann" (Aufklärungsgeschwader 51 "Immelmann," AG 51) to the Mazar-i-Sharif Air Base in northern Afghanistan. German Army helicopters were also stationed at this base, while Luftwaffe C-160 Transall transport planes carried out airlift operations both within Afghanistan and beyond.