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Vienna Airstrip
 US Forces, Austria
Looking for more information from military/civilian personnel assigned to or associated with the U.S. Army in Germany from 1945 to 1989. If you have any stories or thoughts on the subject, please contact me.

History

USFA Air Section

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History
 
1950
(Source: STARS & STRIPES, July 9, 1950)

Vienna Military Airstrip (courtesy Hubert Prigl)
 
The Vienna Airstrip (), operated by USFA Flight Section, is located along the Donau-Kanal (Danube Canal) in Heiligenstadt, part of Vienna's 19th district.

The airstrip was constructed by Army Air Corps engineers in November 1945 to serve as a landing place for small aircraft of HQ USFA. What makes the airstrip unique is its form - the 2000-foot runway makes a 40-degree curve that follows the banks of the canal. L-5 and L-17 fixed wing airplanes are the only aircraft small enough and maneuverable enough to use the airfield.
An added obstacle is that planes landing at the airstrip are exposed to buffeting from crosswinds. All other airfields in USFA are built with East-West runways to allow aircraft to have their noses in the wind. However, the USFA airstrip lies in a north-south direction - and with the prevailing West winds that blow throughout Austria, that creates for a constant crosswind.

Maj Earl B. Kelly is the CO of the airstrip. He, two other pilots (1st Lt Allen S. Mou and 1st Lt Samuel Stanley), the chief mechanic (Sfc Chester L.Stuart) and three enlisted men are stationed at the airstrip.
 
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