I was stationed at RAF Bruggen, 37 Sqn RAF Regiment, 1981-1984. I have to say they were the most wonderful 3 years of my life. I had detachments to Belize (3 months) and the Falklands (4 months) while I was there. This place gave rise to my most enduring friendships, my formative years, and a fantastic intro into European values. I loved this place.....if I ever came home to the UK on leave, I really couldn't wait to get back to Bruggen. It is now a refugee camp. Makes me sad to think that a bastion of defence has now become a gateway for some who would use it to attack us....although I do appreciate that many refugees are genuine.
Was stationed there from 1978 - 1980 - Was a thriving community back then - Have some great memories - Look at it now - Sad and derelict - How times change - I was 18 when first posted there - Am 57 now - Feeling all nostalgic.
Thank you for posting this video, it brings back great memories. My father was part of the USAF contingent stationed at Bruggen from 1964 to 1967. I recognized some of the buildings and fields where we used to play soccer when I was a child. It was probably the best station that my dad was posted to in his Air Force career. I have wonderful memories of the base, we rode our bikes all over it. When I think of a home, I always think of Bruggen. I hate to see it going to waste. I really miss the old base!
So sad to see it like this! but lovely to see Bruggen again!. I was there from '81-85, as an Armourer on 431 MU, working at Bracht. Best posting I had, brings back great memories!
I lived in Elmpt in the late 80's and then the mid to late 90's when my father was stationed at RAF Bruggen. I recognize the main hub of the guardhouse, library, HQ offices, 'Mally' Malcom Club, MT, what used to be the army 220 Signal Squadron hanger, Tornado ASF, the bank that had an SSVC next to it, the Crossbow Club that had a Naafi out the back, Barnes Wallace school, I think Cheshire or Bader school towards the end. A lot of good memories growing up in Germany.
hi Thats me at 4.13 on the big green machine cuting the grass, the guy on the left at the beging of the video was my friend Alex, the guy cleaning the path. and the guy on the right where you get a quick glimps of his orange jacket is my friend Lars. cool video.
Was stationed there 7 Sigs from 2005-2008 massive camp great place to cycle around brings back memory's. Shame it will never look the same, probably getting miss treated as I type from refugees? Would be nice to go and visit once again!
If you ever get chance I would love some pics of 325 Tedder Road. I caught a glimpse of a tree I planted when my son was born in 2009; it's just by the back gate. So many memories a wonderful place.
I was there from Feb 2009 to Oct 2011 with 7 Signal Regt as HR Administrator . Oh how much i miss the place and people esp my fellow men & women from Fiji. Shannons bar was OMG so much fun (got into so much trouble :D ), the chippie shop (banned few times :D )Spar ... im so emotional right now, watching this ! thank you Lord for allowing me the opportunity to experience Javelin Barracks :) God bless everyone who's been based there, especially around my time... Forever cherished in my Heart
Thank you so much for this video. We lived there (after Roermond+Elmpt) from Jan 1964 to Jul 1967 when the canberras where there. I remember it very well, good to catch a quick glance of my old school. I never realised that Bruggen is so big. I recognised some of the places, as a kid in them days we were always out in those woods exploring, and sledging down hill 60, a great place to be as a kid, happy days indeed.
Heaven's! I didn't recognise a bloomin' thing. I was stationed there from 1981 to 83. Was MTD refueling the Jags. Fond memories of a time long gone. Many thanks for taking the time to film this and up-load it.
I was there Jan '86 to Dec'89, the memories come flooding back. The thing that stands out for me is its so quiet. Back in the eighties it had the population of a small town, it was full of people. Now its full of ghosts, so sad.
I was stationed here from 1954 to 1957 and it had not been open very long and was no way as large as this. Worked at Station M.T. as a Driver took the kids to school at Rheindalen Preg .wives to Raf Wegberg in the middle of the night Happy Days
Great memories. Forgot how vast the place is. Was there 84-87 in the PBX ,located opposite the Bruggen bowl. Loved tearing around the golf course and also the back roads as part of the rally club. Thanks for the upload.
Many thanks for sharing these videos with us, certainly brings back some memories and upsetting too to see such a great base in state of abandonment. Was there 93 - 96, loved the place and Germany, if i could turn back the clock I would. I worked on Bruggen, lived on base for a few months then quarters at Wildenwrath. Can you tell me is it still possible to get onto Bruggen? would love to go back and take a last look around the place.
Going to school in Viersen in the 80s and 90s I can tell you it wasn't that funny to have jets flying extremely low around all day long. Just to give all the insiders an outsider's view an that. Lived in Viersen right next to English families who worked at the different bases. Their children got fetched by monstrous school buses. Families were friendly but distanced. Not too much of contact. The supermarket at HQ Rheindahlen was exotic to German eyes, though. Nowadays(2023) Elmpt is closed to the public. Allegedly a Luxembourgish investor has plans to turn the area into an industrial estate. As usual local politicians seem to have made the worst out of all of the multiple possibilities. All in all the place is just rotting at the moment.
I was stationed at RAF Bruggen, 37 Sqn RAF Regiment, 1981-1984. I have to say they were the most wonderful 3 years of my life. I had detachments to Belize (3 months) and the Falklands (4 months) while I was there. This place gave rise to my most enduring friendships, my formative years, and a fantastic intro into European values. I loved this place.....if I ever came home to the UK on leave, I really couldn't wait to get back to Bruggen. It is now a refugee camp. Makes me sad to think that a bastion of defence has now become a gateway for some who would use it to attack us....although I do appreciate that many refugees are genuine.
Was stationed there from 1978 - 1980 - Was a thriving community back then - Have some great memories - Look at it now - Sad and derelict - How times change - I was 18 when first posted there - Am 57 now - Feeling all nostalgic.
Thank you for posting this video, it brings back great memories. My father was part of the USAF contingent stationed at Bruggen from 1964 to 1967. I recognized some of the buildings and fields where we used to play soccer when I was a child. It was probably the best station that my dad was posted to in his Air Force career. I have wonderful memories of the base, we rode our bikes all over it. When I think of a home, I always think of Bruggen. I hate to see it going to waste. I really miss the old base!
So sad to see it like this! but lovely to see Bruggen again!. I was there from '81-85, as an Armourer on 431 MU, working at Bracht.
Best posting I had, brings back great memories!
I lived in Elmpt in the late 80's and then the mid to late 90's when my father was stationed at RAF Bruggen. I recognize the main hub of the guardhouse, library, HQ offices, 'Mally' Malcom Club, MT, what used to be the army 220 Signal Squadron hanger, Tornado ASF, the bank that had an SSVC next to it, the Crossbow Club that had a Naafi out the back, Barnes Wallace school, I think Cheshire or Bader school towards the end. A lot of good memories growing up in Germany.
I was at Bader my brother and sister at Cheshire. We left in 94/5
hi Thats me at 4.13 on the big green machine cuting the grass, the guy on the left at the beging of the video was my friend Alex, the guy cleaning the path. and the guy on the right where you get a quick glimps of his orange jacket is my friend Lars. cool video.
Was stationed there 7 Sigs from 2005-2008 massive camp great place to cycle around brings back memory's. Shame it will never look the same, probably getting miss treated as I type from refugees? Would be nice to go and visit once again!
If you ever get chance I would love some pics of 325 Tedder Road. I caught a glimpse of a tree I planted when my son was born in 2009; it's just by the back gate. So many memories a wonderful place.
+James Bailey No Problem =) Please send me your Email Ad , I will take some pictures for you
How I lament for you my dear sweet Bruggen. Thankyou for posting this.
I was there from Feb 2009 to Oct 2011 with 7 Signal Regt as HR Administrator . Oh how much i miss the place and people esp my fellow men & women from Fiji. Shannons bar was OMG so much fun (got into so much trouble :D ), the chippie shop (banned few times :D )Spar ... im so emotional right now, watching this ! thank you Lord for allowing me the opportunity to experience Javelin Barracks :) God bless everyone who's been based there, especially around my time... Forever cherished in my Heart
Lived here on the 90s. So glad I can show my son where I used to live as it's somewhere he'll never get to go!! Thank you
Thank you so much for this video. We lived there (after Roermond+Elmpt) from Jan 1964 to Jul 1967 when the canberras where there.
I remember it very well, good to catch a quick glance of my old school. I never realised that Bruggen is so big. I recognised some of the places, as a kid in them days we were always out in those woods exploring, and sledging down hill 60, a great place to be as a kid, happy days indeed.
I loved this place............best posting (for me anyway) in the RAF!
Heaven's! I didn't recognise a bloomin' thing. I was stationed there from 1981 to 83. Was MTD refueling the Jags. Fond memories of a time long gone.
Many thanks for taking the time to film this and up-load it.
I was there Jan '86 to Dec'89, the memories come flooding back. The thing that stands out for me is its so quiet. Back in the eighties it had the population of a small town, it was full of people. Now its full of ghosts, so sad.
Same, and same years. Sad to see it so ghostly
87-89 on singly strasse
I was stationed here from 1954 to 1957 and it had not been open very long and was no way as large as this.
Worked at Station M.T. as a Driver took the kids to school at Rheindalen Preg .wives to Raf Wegberg in the middle of the night
Happy Days
I was there July 1959 to Dec1961, at GEP which became 431MU just before my repat to RAF Abingdon.
I lived here from 1988-1992 as my father was stationed here in supply squadron..
I was there from 83 to 87. You pass my last office on the left at 1249 to 1253. A great posting.
Great memories. Forgot how vast the place is. Was there 84-87 in the PBX ,located opposite the Bruggen bowl. Loved tearing around the golf course and also the back roads as part of the rally club. Thanks for the upload.
I was there with 7 Sigs, really miss the place!
Many thanks for sharing these videos with us, certainly brings back some memories and upsetting too to see such a great base in state of abandonment. Was there 93 - 96, loved the place and Germany, if i could turn back the clock I would. I worked on Bruggen, lived on base for a few months then quarters at Wildenwrath. Can you tell me is it still possible to get onto Bruggen? would love to go back and take a last look around the place.
Not any more, because it is a refugee camp now
+paul smith that's a real shame I was hoping to visit next year and have a look around the old place. Such a shame it has been abandoned.
Great times, I lived on Dowding road, just down from the swimming pool. Left at the end of 1999.
Two tours, nearly ten years in total. Still go back there and play golf with a couple of German friends.
I live right next to it and I would love to be able to explore it.
Done lots of in and out moves on Javelin.
i went to school in bruggen barnes wallis and leonard cheshire late 70s
Hey! Is there anyway I can contact you about taking some pictures on this base?
Is it possible to visit Javelin Baracks ?
Is the US Army communication tower down by the golf course still there? I was stationed there 1972-1974
No. "Big Ears" was taken down in the 90's. I was there 92-95.
Going to school in Viersen in the 80s and 90s I can tell you it wasn't that funny to have jets flying extremely low around all day long.
Just to give all the insiders an outsider's view an that.
Lived in Viersen right next to English families who worked at the different bases. Their children got fetched by monstrous school buses.
Families were friendly but distanced. Not too much of contact.
The supermarket at HQ Rheindahlen was exotic to German eyes, though.
Nowadays(2023) Elmpt is closed to the public.
Allegedly a Luxembourgish investor has plans to turn the area into an industrial estate.
As usual local politicians seem to have made the worst out of all of the multiple possibilities.
All in all the place is just rotting at the moment.
Is it officially open, to entre with car? Or is it restricted now?
I was there 84-86
after 2000 i know fly a tornado on 1;72 scale of revell hahahaha ; yep revell bring a good memo back on decal of bruggen ; ; so dont miss it