Round about 200 photographer and enthusiasts followed the invitation of the Fighter Wing 73 (Jagdgeschwader 73). In addition to a lot of MiG-29 some Hornets of the Swiss air force were also present as there was a squadron exchange taking place that week.

The airfield Laage in the north east of Germany is home of the Jagdgeschwader 73"Steinhoff" (Fighter Wing 73). The construction of the airbase began in 1978 und in 1984 the Jagdbomberfliegergeschwader 77 (JBG77/Fighter Bomber Wing 77) was established there which was followed by the Marinefliegergeschwader 28 (MFG28/Naval Fighter Wing 28). Both wings used Sukhoi Su-22M4. With the reunification of East- and West Germany the base became part of the Bundeswehr October 3^rd 1990.

In 1992 the Jagdgeschwader 75 was established but disbanded just one year later. But there was no time to think about that as the base was destined to be the new home of the JG73 and its MiG-29 inherited from JG-3 of the NVA (Nationale Volks Armee). First of all the infrastructure had to be modernized and adapted to the needs of the Fulcrum based in Preschen and the Phantom as the JaboG35 in Pferdsfeld/Bad Sobernheim was supposed to be disbanded and one of their F-4F squadrons was chosen to accompany the MiG-29 at Laage. In the last quarter of 1994 the MiG-29 left Preschen with destination Laage und formed the 1^st squadron of the JG73. The Phantoms followed in July 1997 and formed the 2^nd squadron. September 18^th 1997 the fighter wing received the name "Steinhoff".

The police helicopter squadron of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern equipped with two EC-135 also based at Laage is unofficially referred to as the 3^rd squadron of the JG73"S".

Additionally the aerodrome is used by civil aviation which is situated at the southern part. The 2^nd squadron was disbanded March 26^th 2002. That day the last two Phantoms of the 732 left Laage. The 2^nd squadron will return in 2004 when the first Eurofighter will arrive. The days of the 731 are numbered too. In July 2004 the last Fulcrums shall have left with destination Poland. But with the Eurofighter the 1^st squadron will come back.

MiG-29G 29+08

Zusatztanks wie sie für Verlegungen in die USA und nach Canada benutzt wurden. Insgesamt wurden sieben Einsitzer für die Nutzung dieser Tanks umgerüstet. Ursprünglich sollten alle MiG-29 umgerüstet werden was jedoch aus Geldmangel nicht möglich war.

MiG-29G 29+17

F/A-18 Hornet J-5017 der Schweizer Luftwaffe. Diese Maschine weilte zusammen mit fünf weiteren Hornets anläßlich eines Staffelaustausches in Laage.

29+08

J-5017

Last update : 13-09-2008 18:43

Keywords : Militärische Luftfahrt, Fototage/Photocall, Fototag 2003 beim JG73"Steinhoff" in Laage, 21.08.2003

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