An AJ 37 Viggen being serviced in bakom (rear flight line position) at a wartime air base in Sweden

Bas 60 (Flygbassystem 60, Air Base System 60) was an air base system developed and used by the Swedish Air Force during the Cold War. The system was based around defensive force dispersal of aircraft and its supporting ground operations across many krigsflygbaser (wartime air bases) in case of war, primarily as a protective measure against nuclear weapons. The purpose of the system was to make it complicated for an opponent to destroy the Swedish Air Force on the ground and thus ensure endurance for the air force in a conflict scenario. The plan was to disperse the air units so one krigsflygbas would house one squadron (8-12 aircraft). This dispersion principle also applied to the individual wartime bases themselves, meaning that the various functions of an air base were spread over a large area in and around the base.

The system originated from an air force inquiry in 1954 and was formally implemented in the 1958 defence plan. The original plan called for 70 wartime air bases to be built, with 46 of them to be equipped for continuous usage. The number of bases was however reduced with every revision of the plan and about 40 bases ended up being completed.

During peace time the air squadrons were stationed at their respective air wing and deployment to the wartime air bases would only occur when the threat level increased. But many of the air wings also doubled as wartime air bases. The wartime air bases were only manned by a smaller bastropp (base troop) during peace time and the full base battalion would only be manned with a mobilization (except during certain exercises). This was because the majority of the units were made up by conscripts. The base system was therefore never fully active during the time it existed, like the rest of the Swedish Armed Forces during the Cold War.

A wartime air base in the Bas 60 system functioned as ordinarie bas (regular base), shortened as "O-bas" (R-base), for one or more type of aircraft; fighter, attack or reconnaissance. A regular base had the personnel and resources needed for maintaining and repairing the type of aircraft assigned to that base. Some bases also doubled as temporär bas (temporary base), shortened as "T-bas" (T-base), for one or more aircraft types. A temporary base only had capacity to refuel and rearm the type of aircraft it acted as temporary base for. All regular bases acted as temporary bases for fighter aircraft.

Road runways were also built to complement the wartime bases, acting as a backup bases. Civilian airports could also be used as a backup alternative.

The system was further developed into Bas 90 during the 1970s and 1980s.

Base layout

Two JA 37 Viggen on stand-by at framom (fore flight line position) at a wartime air base

Main runway

The main runway was a typical runway at a length of 2,000–2,300 metres (6,600–7,500 ft) and 30–40 metres (98–131 ft) wide, with a taxiway running parallel to it. Visual aids for pilots such as runway lights were installed. At the ends of the runway there were raisable and lowerable nets for capturing aircraft that were not able to take off or land properly.

Framom - Fore flight line position

Främre klargöringsområde (framom), fore flight line position, was the flight line position (apron) by the main runway, and was where fighter aircraft were to be prepared for missions and be on standby. A base usually had two framom positions, one located at each end of the main runway. One framom position had space for four aircraft. Attack and reconnaissance aircraft in need of complementary refueling could also be refueled at framom. Fighter aircraft on standby at framom were directly connected to the bases communication net so the pilots could receive orders directly and take off immediately after receiving the order. When no aircraft were at framom, the groundcrew would evacuate the area as a safety measure and return when new aircraft came in.

Field hangar at the uom site for former air base Hässlö

Bakom - Rear flight line position

Bakre klargöringsområde (bakom), rear flight line position, was the flight line position for attack and reconnaissance aircraft. Bakom was located 2–3 kilometres (1.2–1.9 mi) away from the main airfield and only bases that were regular bases for attack and reconnaissance aircraft had a bakom position. In case a base was a regular base for both attack and reconnaissance there were two separate bakom positions, referred to as bakom-attack (rear-attack) and bakom-spaning (rear-reconnaissance). A bakom position had 10-15 individual aircraft spaces (hardstands) with a distance of 50 metres (160 ft) between each space, and aircraft currently in bakom were to be separated as much as possible within the available aircraft spaces. This was to reduce the risk of having all aircraft destroyed in a single attack. The aircraft spaces could also be concealed with camouflage nets. Bakom was connected to the main airfield via a taxiway that in many cases was public road integrated into the base infrastructure, and aircraft could either taxi on their own between the sections of the base or be towed by a vehicle.

Uom - Staging area

Uppställningsområdet (uom), staging area, was where aircraft undergoing long-term maintenance, such as repairs, or not being in immediate use were kept. Uom was located 5–10 kilometres (3.1–6.2 mi) away from the main airfield. A uom had field hangars for maintenance work and a site for engine swapping and testing. Just like at bakom the aircraft spaces at uom could be concealed with camouflage nets and was connected with the rest of the base via a taxiway that often was public road. Most of the aircraft groundcrew and their equipment would be positioned at uom.

Road runways and reserve bases

A Bas 60 road runway with a small runway apron visible on the right

To complement the ordinary Bas 60 bases, reservvägbaser (road runways) were built to act as a backup alternative. Selected sections of public roads that were suitable for the purpose were widened to give enough space for aircraft to take-off and land. The typical dimensions for a reservvägbas (road runway) was 1,500–2,000 metres (4,900–6,600 ft) in length and 12 metres (39 ft) in width. One or two runway aprons were built near each end of the runway. About 30 road runways were built, primarily in the southern and eastern parts of Sweden. Usage of the road runways were limited by adverse light and weather conditions, which is why they were primarily considered a backup alternative. Utilizing a road runway required relocating units and resources from an ordinary base, and certain field works around the runway were often necessary before it could be used.

Selected civilian airports were later added as additional reserve bases.

Operations

TLF-cart

Kommandocentral - Command centre

The air traffic operations on a base were led and organized from a kommandocentral (command centre), abbreviated as KC, located in an underground bunker a few kilometers away from the airfield. A KC was manned by 6-8 people, including the duty officer.

TLF - The traffic leader at the field

Trafikledaren vid fältet (TLF), the traffic leader at the field, was stationed at the main runway and assisted the air traffic operations. In case kommandocentralen was unavailable or stopped functioning the TLF could take over control of air traffic operations. The TLF operated from a special cart that was equipped with base radio, air traffic radio, telephone and controls for runway functions such as lighting.

Stabsplats - Command post

The overarching and long term operations on base were led and organized from a stabsplats (command post). This command post would be located in one or more buildings (often a school) in a nearby town or city. The stabsplats also acted as the camp for many of the base units, including the medical, meteorology and security units.

Basbataljon 60 - Base battalion

One base was operated by a basbataljon 60 (base battalion type 60), with the battalion chief in charge of the overall operations on the base. A fully mobilized battalion consisted of 1200-1500 men, but in peace time a base was normally operated by 2-3 technical officers and 10-15 conscripted flight mechanics. During larger exercises all or part of the full base battalion would be called in.

One base battalion consisted of the following units:

  • Stabskompani (command company): command and administration of the base.
  • Stationskompani (station company): aircraft groundcrew and maintenance.
  • Intendenturkompani (commissariat company): supply and logistics.
  • Flygfältsarbetskompani (field works company): base infrastructure repair and maintenance.
  • Skyddskompani (security company): base security, removal of unexploded ordnance and fire fighting.
  • Sjukvårdspluton (medical platoon): first aid and medical care.

The defense of the base could also be reinforced with infantry and anti-air units from the Swedish Army.

Further development

In the 1970s and 1980s the Bas 60 system was developed into Bas 90 to accommodate new needs and threats.

Today

With the end of the cold war the Bas 60 and Bas 90 system was scrapped, and many of the wartime air bases have been demilitarized and sold to civilian owners.

List of Bas 60 air bases

Bas 60 is located in Sweden
Uppsala
Uppsala
Hässlö
Hässlö
Söderhamn
Söderhamn
Frösön
Frösön
Bråvalla
Bråvalla
Kungsängen
Kungsängen
Malmen
Malmen
SAAB
SAAB
Såtenäs
Såtenäs
Råda
Råda
Luleå
Luleå
Byholma
Byholma
Hagshult
Hagshult
Moholm  Karlsborg
Moholm
Karlsborg
Lidköping  Hasslösa
Lidköping
Hasslösa
Visby
Visby
Rommehed
Rommehed
Kjula
Kjula
Kubbe
Kubbe
Färila
Färila
Gunnarn
Gunnarn
Vidsel
Vidsel
Fällfors
Fällfors
Åmsele
Åmsele
Jokkmokk
Jokkmokk
Tierp
Tierp
Heden
Heden
Uråsa
Uråsa
Sättna
Sättna
Kosta
Kosta
Everöd
Everöd
Knislinge
Knislinge
Ljungbyhed
Ljungbyhed
Sjöbo
Sjöbo
Tågra
Tågra
Sturup
Sturup
Ängelholm
Ängelholm
Ronneby
Ronneby
Halmstad
Halmstad
Kalmar
Kalmar
Eneryda
Eneryda
Hultsfred
Hultsfred
Säve
Säve
Björkvik
Björkvik
Nyköping
Nyköping
Tullinge
Tullinge
Strängnäs
Strängnäs
Barkaby
Barkaby
Gimo
Gimo
Ålem
Ålem
Örnsköldsvik
Örnsköldsvik
Piteå
Piteå
Skellefteå
Skellefteå
Kiruna
Kiruna
Air bases in the Bas 60 system (excluding civilian airports in reserve).
= Bas 60
= Not Bas 60, but actively used by the air force during the time period
Facility numberAirfieldCode 1Code 2Year(s) builtOther
Anl 101Skellefteå ?Civilian airport
Anl 102Gunnarnfält 28601968Built to Bas 90 in 1987.
Anl 103HagshultC 18291961Built to Bas 90 in 1983. Still in use.
Anl 105Moholmfält 836 ?
Anl 107Everödfält 420 ?
Anl 109Tierpfält 14481965
Anl 111Örnsköldsvik ?Civilian airport
Anl 113Hedenfält 32611956, 1959
Anl 115Rådafält 20371971Built to Bas 90 in 1990-91.
Anl 118Hultsfredfält 37281969
Anl 119Fällforsfält 40661958, 1961Built to Bas 90 in 1983.
Anl 121Sjöbofält 1231960, 1968
Anl 126Hasslösafält 6351958
Anl 128SAAB1964, 1967
Anl 130Uråsafält 88271964
Anl 131Lidköpingfält 21341958
Anl 136Rommehedfält 15441960Built to Bas 90 in 1990.
Anl 138Enerydafält 89301969Main runway on public road.
Anl 142KungsängenC 4411963, 1966Civilian airport
Anl 143Kjulafält 56461962Built to Bas 90 in 1987.
Anl 147VisbyC 25431968Built to Bas 90 in 1992.
Anl 157Kiruna1971Civilian airport
Anl 160Vidselfält 42621965Built to Bas 90 in 1989. Today Vidsel Test Range.
Anl 161Tågrafält 811965Main runway on public road.
Anl 163Sättnafält 45581963
Anl 166Kostafält 87311963
Anl 170Kubbefält 4457 ?Built to Bas 90 in 1990.
Anl 171Åmselefält 41671960Built to Bas 90 in 1985.
Anl 172Knislingefält 84251963
Anl 173Gimofält 54491960
Anl 175Strängnäsfält 57501963
Anl 176Björkvikfält 58421967-68
Anl 177Byholmafält 85261961Built to Bas 90 in 1989.
Anl 178Ålemfält 831968Main runway on public road.
Anl 181Färilafält 46591967Built to Bas 90 in 1991.
Anl 185Piteåfält 48681970
Anl 186Sturup1972Civilian airport
Anl 189Jokkmokkfält 49691970-71Built to Bas 90 in 1988. Still in use.
Anl 301HässlöF 1011976F 1 Hässlö. Partially built to Bas 90 in 1991.
Anl 303MalmenF 3031966F 3 Malmslätt. Partially built to Bas 90 in 1992.
Anl 304FrösönF 4041962F 4 Frösön. Built to Bas 90 in 1991.
Anl 305LjungbyhedF 505 ?F 5 Ljungbyhed. Partially built to Bas 90 in 1985.
Anl 306KarlsborgF 606 ?F 6 Karlsborg
Anl 307SåtenäsF 707 ?F 7 Såtenäs. Built to Bas 90 in 1990-91.
Anl 308BarkabyF 808 ?F 8 Barkarby
Anl 310ÄngelholmF 10101970F 10 Ängelholm
Anl 311NyköpingF 11111969F 11 Nyköping
Anl 312KalmarF 12121970F 12 Kalmar
Anl 313BråvallaF 13131977F 13 Norrköping. Partially built to Bas 90 in 1981.
Anl 315SöderhamnF 15151975F 15 Söderhamn. Partially built to Bas 90 in 1978.
Anl 316UppsalaF 16161970F 16 Uppsala. Partially built to Bas 90.
Anl 317RonnebyF 17171961F 17 Kallinge.

List of Bas 60 road runways

Bas 60 is located in Sweden
Revinge
Revinge
Jämjö
Jämjö
Hallabro
Hallabro
Hovmantorp
Hovmantorp
Tokebo
Tokebo
Målerås
Målerås
Lammhult
Lammhult
Falkenberg
Falkenberg
Follingbo
Follingbo
Bro
Bro
Hjo
Hjo
Klockrike
Klockrike
Tillinge
Tillinge
Heby
Heby
Åland
Åland
Björklinge
Björklinge
Gimo
Gimo
Gysinge
Gysinge
Skärplinge
Skärplinge
Älvkarleby
Älvkarleby
Mokorset
Mokorset
Norrala
Norrala
Jämtkrogen
Jämtkrogen
Överhörnäs
Överhörnäs
Bjurholm
Bjurholm
Finnträsk
Finnträsk
Långträsk
Långträsk
Vidsel
Vidsel
Jokkmokk
Jokkmokk
Road runways in the Bas 60 system. Not to be confused with the short runways in the Bas 90 system, which in many cases also were built on public road.

The Bas 60 road runways are not to be confused with the short runways in the Bas 90 system, which in many cases also were built on public road. The Bas 90 short runways belonged to a larger air base and were therefore not counted as individual bases, unlike the Bas 60 road runways.

AirfieldDesignationYear(s) builtOther
RevingeS171967
JämjöS711965-66
Hallabro1966
HovmantorpS461966
TokeboS111966Used for training
Målerås
Lammhult1966
FalkenbergS211964-65
Follingbo1970
BroB01964
Hjo1967
Klockrike1964
TillingeB321965
Heby1964-65Used for training
ÅlandS971964-65
Björklinge1966
GimoS951964
GysingeS411964
Skärplinge1966
ÄlvkarlebyS811966
MokorsetR81964-65
Norrala1965
Jämtkrogen1968
ÖverhörnäsR191964
Bjurholm1966
FinnträskS651965
Långträsk1966Used for training
VidselR911967
Jokkmokk

References

Books

  • Andersson, Lennart, ed. (2008). Svenska flygbaser. Flyghistorisk revy ; [Specialnr 2008]Publikation / Försvaret och det kalla kriget (FOKK), 1652-5388 ; 13 (in Swedish). Stockholm: Svensk flyghistorisk förening (SFF). ISSN 0345-3413. SELIBR 11255837.
  • Andersson, Lennart (2010). ÖB:s klubba: flygvapnets attackeskader under kalla kriget. Publikation / Försvaret och det kalla kriget (FOKK), 1652-5388 ; 24 (in Swedish). Stockholm: Svenskt militärhistoriskt bibliotek. ISBN 9789185789740. SELIBR 11958220.
  • Andersson, Lennart, ed. (2016). Svenskt flyg under kalla kriget (in Swedish). Stockholm: Medström. ISBN 9789173291347. SELIBR 18615728.

Web

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