Hahn Airbase, 1998
Photos by Phillip Buehler

During the Cold War American fighters were stationed at Hahn Airbase. This was the closest base to the Iron Curtain with nuclear weapons. F-16's from Hahn flew off to fight in the Persian Gulf War, but when it was over they didn't return. There was no need; American forces in Germany were being reduced. The base was then turned over to the German government and parts of it are now being used as a private airport. The Germans were also left one of the best golf courses in Germany. The rest of the base sits abandoned...the shelters for the planes as well as what I was told were bunkers for nuclear weapons.

These shelters once housed F-16 fighters. If the base was on alert their engines could be kept running while the doors were closed to protect them from an enemy strike. You can see the special vent in the back of the shelter on the left.