History of Royal Air Force Jever

1951 to 1961

During 1951 as part of the programme to improve capability of the NATO military force, the airfield at Jever was refurbished by No 5352 Wing of the RAF Airfield Construction Branch. This former World War II operational Luftwaffe station, which had been used to accommodate displaced persons, was restored and enhanced so that RAF fighter squadrons could operate from this part of the North German plain.

Early in 1952

No. 122 Wing, consisting of 3 Squadrons, No 4, No 93 and No 112 Sqns, all equipped with Vampires, arrived as well as the RAF Regiment squadrons which were responsible for the defence of the airfield.   No 112 Squadron subsequently moved to RAF Bruggen while Nos 4 and No 93 Squadrons were re-equipped with Sabres.

In 1955

   Nos 98 and No 118 Squadrons equipped with Hunters joined the No. 122 Wing and by the end of the year all the squadrons were operating this aircraft.

The 1957 and 1960 Defence Cuts

   The change in Defence Policy stemming from the 1957 White Paper, led to a massive reduction in the size of the RAF in Germany.   At Jever both No 98 and 118 Squadrons were disbanded, but the station was kept partially up to strength by the deployment of No 2 FR Squadron equipped with Swifts.   However by the end of 1960 Nos 4 and 93 Squadrons had been disbanded.

   Meanwhile, at Gutersloh on December 30th 1960, No's 14, 20 and 26 Squadrons were also disbanded.    No 14 Squadron reformed on 1st Jan 1961 in order to fulfil, as the only DF/GA Squadron left in RAF Germany , the duty of permanent Day Battle Flight.   No 79 FR Sqn at the same time was renumbered No 4 FR Sqn.    Approximately a third of 14's original pilots remained after the disbandment supplemented by approximately a third from 20 Sqn and the same from 26 Sqn.   Aircraft strength was increased to 18 and a few extra pilots from disbanded Hunter squadrons (both UK and Germany) were added to the strength for short periods from time to time in the next 2 years.   No 14 Squadron remained on permanent Day Battle Flight duty until being disbanded once again on 16th December 1962.

   In 1960 it was decided to change the cross Channel trooping of personnel to Germany by boat and train to "air trooping".    This meant that the runway at Gutersloh needed to be strengthened and lengthened.   Whilst this work took place Nos 14 Sqn and 4 Sqn were detached to Jever from 11th March until the 5th Sept 1961.

   Finally in September 1961 the airfield was closed after No 2 Squadron had also redeployed to Gutersloh.

On 29 December 1961

The station was handed over to the German Air Force.