The now abandoned Sembach Air Base has quite a long history. The location was first used as an airfield after World War I by the French occupation troops in 1919 with 10 sheet-iron barracks and 26 wooden hangars. When France retreated from Germany in 1930 the air base was abandoned on June 15th and the land was returned to farmers who used it as a hay field. (The area around Sembach is very rural and agriculture is an important economic factor till this very day.)
In preparation of World War II the Nazi-German Luftwaffe deemed the area proper to build a fighter base and claimed the land in early 1940, but gave it back to the owners in June of 1940 after France was conquered in a blitzkrieg now known as the “Battle of France”.
After the defeat of Nazi-Germany in May of 1945 Sembach was part of the French occupational zone. In April of 1951 German surveyors along with French officers were looking for suitable locations for air bases. The Cold War had begun a few years prior and both the NATO and the Warsaw Pact armed themselves at a remarkable speed. The NATO’s lack of air fields suitable for modern jets made it necessary to build new military airports – so the French authorities began with the construction of a hard surface airfield in June of 1951, much to the protest of local farmers, who demonstrated in Mainz, the capital of Rhineland-Palatinate, without much success. On September 1st the United States took over the construction site, naming it Sembach Air Auxiliary Field, and pushed hard to finish the base – completing the 8500 foot concrete runway by the end of the month working round the clock using nighttime illumination. The rest of the airfield (tower, hangars, repair shops, storages and other buildings) were built during the winter. Local protests rose again when plans for the construction of barracks and office buildings surfaced in April of 1952 – this time with a little bit more success: Instead of using valuable farm land the new buildings were constructed on a sandy area with little agricultural value about 1.5 kilometers away from the airfield (Heuberg). Everybody was happy and after another year of construction the American flag was finally raised at the base now known as Sembach Air Base on July 8th 1953, when a RB-26 Invader arrived from Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. It was part of the 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, the first of many units to be stationed in Sembach.
40 years after Sembach Air Base was opened protests rose again – this time because the Americans announced plans that the base will only be used as a substation of Ramstein Air Base; a huge economical setback for the town and nearby cities, directly (German civilian employees at the base) and indirectly (soldiers spending money in the area). The airfield was returned to German control two years later on March 30th 1995, the installations in Heuberg were renamed Sembach Annex. In summer of 1998 the demolition of the base began, the runway being the first “victim” of this process. Since then most of the buildings on the former air base have been demolished – but not all of them, at least not by the time Gil and I arrived at the location.
After the *Deportation Prison Birkhausen* and the *USAREUR Communication Facility Lohnsfeld* turned out to be quick stops we decided to tackle another big one and drove to Sembach to have a look at what was left of the air base. First we went to the western part and found some half-underground bunkers, inaccessible of course. Next was a small office building (?) that looked like it was made of corrugated cardboard. Quite interesting was the former Fire Station, part of the Fire and Emergency Service. I was rather surprised by the coloring of the toilets – white and pink. Seriously? The restrooms of the fire department on a US Air Force base were pink?
In the afternoon, when we left the fire station, the weather started to turn drastically. The sunshine was gone and dark grey clouds approached quickly. While we were making our way to the abandoned tower the wind sped up massively – to my favor as I should find out minutes later. I just finished shooting the tower building when a wall of rain came closer quickly and before I had the chance to take shelter it poured liked I was standing in the shower; a first class cloudburst. At that time I was close to the eastern wall of the tower, so I pressed myself against the high wall while the wind was blowing so hard that it actually blew the rain over my head. About 15 minutes I was standing there, hoping for the wind to continue and the rain to stop. When the heavy rain turned into light drizzling I started to look for Gil, who found shelter in a nearby building I assumed was inaccessible. That building was boarded up (almost) completely and its massive walls made me wonder right away what it was used for. Sadly it was pretty much empty, nevertheless we found some interesting items – a sleeping bag and other signs of a homeless person being there for a while, a perforated cardboard character and some documents with rather sensitive information; like special travel orders, granting individuals the permission to hand-carry a M16 rifle. I have no clue how those documents escaped the shredder, but I guess I better refrain from posting photos since each sheet of paper contained several names including ranks and addresses…
Going on an exploration trip with Gil was absolutely fantastic (thanks, man!). While the first two locations were quite disappointing from an urbex point of view Sembach Air Base made up for it big time. It was the first US military base I was able to explore (yes, I went to a second one, so stayed tuned!) and I had a blast – no pun intended. The locations in Germany differ quite a bit from the places I usually get to see in Japan, so I really enjoyed this refreshing experience!
Addendum 2013-08-27: If you liked this article, check out the one about the nearby *Hochspeyer Munitions Storage*!
(If you don’t want to miss the latest article you can *like Abandoned Kansai on Facebook* and *follow this blog on Twitter* – and of course there is the *video channel on Youtube*…)
Abandoned Kansai 
Enjoyed your article, but found it a little confusing… Sembach Air Base has not been abandoned, only the former Flightline has been abandoned. The remainder of the base (Heuberg) was taken over by the US Army last year and is just about to receive its first US Army tenant organization (see http://www.kaiserslauternamerican.com/article.php?i=18398). I was stationed at Sembach AB in the 1960s and worked at one of the three remote Mace missile sites, which were abandoned circa 1967 after the associated missiles were retired. I last visited the area in 2007. (See this link for more info about Sembach’s missiles – http://www.sembachmissileers.org).
Hi Russ,
Thanks for the links and for making it clear that part of the base is still existing. Since its name was Sembach Air Base for the longest time I simplified the article a bit and only mentioned towards the end that the non-airport part in Heuberg was renamed Sembach Annex (I cut the information that it was taken over by the US Army, I guess I should have let it in there) – I considered Sembach Air Base done since the defining part, the air base, was partly abandoned and partly demolished. I had to sum up almost 100 years of history and I’m aware that a lot of information and details got lost on the way – a place like Sembach Air Base deserves dedicated homepages and I’m glad that you and others create and run them!
Another great article. Thanks also for the history behind the base. It really helps to frame the experience.
Hey Brandon,
Thanks a lot – I’m really grateful for a location like that as it combines a long history with some really interesting buildings to explore; there’s not much more I could have asked for. (Too bad the tower wasn’t accessible…)
Hi Florian,
I certainly had a great time on those explorations and I sure hope we’ll do it again next time you are around. Quite nice to see the videos of the locations as well. While photos appeal with leaving a lot to the viewers imagination videos make you feel that you’ve actually been there (which in my case might be a slightly biased feeling of course).Thanks for doing all the research and to the other readers of your blog let me just hint that there is still an incredible location coming up! One so vast that it took Florian and me almost a whole day to explore. I can’t wait to see the post about that one…
I’m looking forward to more explorations, Gil! The area is surprisingly rich in abandoned places – lots of them, great variety. While explorations here take more and more effort back home I think there are about 150 locations in daytrip range; and I didn’t even do that much research…
As for the other exploration we did together: I think I will write about it to celebrate the second birthday of this blog in early January. A special location for a special occasion!
My father (Okey Jackson) was stationed at Sembach AFB 1966-1969, his last USAF tour of duty as TSGT in Comm squadron. We lived in the extensive housing (661-A) and I went to elementary school on the base, older brother had to go to Kaiserslautern for High School (K-town). Extended family including mom&dad (14 of us) re-visited Europe in 2006 and went to Sembach out of curiosity, saw the flight line pretty much in decay, but the main part of Base was pretty much intact. Main gate was guarded by Germans, rent-a-cops I guess, and they let us on the base to tour. The buildings on the base were much as we remembered, including the gym where we had watched many BB games, the old football field down in the valley was still there (again go Tigers!). We went by the rod-n-gun club on the hill, where we used to eat meals alot. All the old housing was just as it was in the 60’s, including the rec. baseball fields and the theatre at the back end. Even the AYA (youth) recreation place was still there. Quite a surprise all was still intact, though abandoned at the time. We spent an afternoon in June 2006 going down memory lane. David Jackson
Thanks a lot for sharing – it’s always great to hear from people who knew a place when it was still in use; especially military facilities!
I was stationed at Sembach from 71 thru 73 then move to Wiesbaden. While at Sembach I was with the 601 TCS as a Ground Radio Operator. I worked for a Tsgt David Jackson . I was wondering if this could have been your Father?
On the question on whether my father was also named David Jackson, his name was Okey Jackson
Our family was stationed there from 1974-78. I worked many summers in the summer hire program, most of my work was at the airfield. Really sad to see the airfield so abandoned. Thank you for the pictures and the video, what a great article. I never knew the early history of the Sembach area.
Thanks again,
Mike
It’s always a pleasure to bring back memories – I wish I’d knew all the places I go to before they were abandoned, but in fact I don’t know any of them. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to have that “comparison experience” myself…
I was stationed at with the 603 TCS at Sembach AFB between 1985 and 1989, working at OL-C near Fischbach. It’s abandoned, too. I lived in Otterberg. After that, I went to RAF Bentwaters-Woodbridge, and worked at RAF Martlesham Heath. Those bases were closed and abandoned shortly after I left active duty in 1992.
And when I was a kid, we stayed for a while at Tachikawa, in an old aircraft factory that was converted into family housing. There was an abandoned tunnel in the basement that led to the airfield which terrified my younger sister. Of course my Dad didn’t help it by telling her that Godzilla lived in there.
Gil and I were actually on our way to Fischbach after we left Sembach, but it started to rain again and I was pretty tired, so we called it a day – chances are good that I will visit Fischbach in July. Probably along with some other abandoned military bases. American soldiers seem to have fond memories of their times in Germany and Japan – I like the aesthetics of those places and if I can revive memories it’s a win-win situation.
Besides Sembach, my father was stationed at Wakkanai Air Base in mid 60’s, northern most point of Japan. I think it was abandoned or handed over to Japanese post- Cold War. It was a remote radar site, keeping an eye on Russia during Vietnam buildup, and dependents were allowed to accompany on a 2-year tour. Very cold place, but with good memories. There is a great website> http://www.wakkanaiwasmyhome.citymax.com/home.html
My mother and I will be visiting the town of Sembach September 21, 2012
from Massachussetts USA in memory of my Dad James A Giammalvo, a Vietnam War veteran, he was stationed in Sembach, Germany, while serving in the Air Force from 1966 to 1970. He served in the Air National Guard 102nd Fighter Wing at Otis Air Force Base from 1972 until his retirement in 2003 as Master Sergeant.
We are going to be there a day before our tour of Germany begins. My
dad meant so much to me and his years in Germany were some of his best
memories. I’m hoping to visit the area that the Sembach AFB once stood. Ive read that it is now an Army installation. Is there anyone there who could
make this dream come true. Our plan is to drive down from Frankfurt and
visit the area in and around Sembach. Please contact me if you think you can
help. Even if there are recommendations for things to do in or around the area.
Hey Tom,
It’s good to hear that your dad had a great time in Germany – mine means the world to me, too, so I’ll write you an e-mail later today and I hope I’ll be able to support you on your trip to Germany!
I just came upon this posting. I would love to know how your visit went and what you did. My dad was stationed at Sembach in the late 60’s too. We lived in K-town. I remember regular trips with my dad and other airmen to the nearby children’s home to help out, make repairs, play with the children, churn home made ice cream, I have so many great memories of Germany and hope to make the trip back there as well.
very intersting i was a fireman there 1965 to 68
I hope you had a good time in Sembach! A lot of people are sad that the US military closes so many bases in Germany…
Sembach was my first base 30 years ago. I was in the 601st CRS and worked at the Site 8 Munitions Storage Area at Hockspeyer, just outside of Enkenbach/Alsenborn. I am spending the holidays in Solingen and convinced my friends to take a journey to Molsheim to eat at the “Chicken Ranch.”
AJ Johnson
AJ,
I was at sembach as a dependent, worked summer hire in 76-77. Worked on the flightline and in the ammunition bunker area. We mowed the lawns on the bunkers. Hope you’re having a great time while in Germany. I have very fond memories of Germany. What a great place.
Have a good one,
Mike
I was at Sembach from 84-86..Best time of my life, and I miss it badly.
I worked at Site % Munitions at the end of the runway.
Many Happy Memories, and thanks for the pics !
You are welcome, Wes! I hope next year I’ll have the chance to revisit Sembach AB as my first visit was cut short by a thunderstorm…
I was at sembach from january 1972 to feb 73 when I was transferred to Birkenfield
I hope you had a good time in Sembach. Quite rural, but a really nice area!
William c. smih
SMsgt retired
After finishing instrument training school at chanute AFB illinois I was assigned to Landstuhl, Germany. After 3 weeks on a troop ship(no they didn’t fly us then)The ussn Butner, Was told there was 5,000 of us on that skiff. Broke down at sea for 3 days. Pretty smelly 3 decks down at night. After 3 or 4 months at Landstuhl orders came down that Sembach was getting some C-11 trainers for instrument flying. Being the ranking man , not including the MSgt in charge, I was picked (with 2 stripes) along with one 1 striper to transfer to Sembach. That was in 1954. Rotated out in January 1957. Had some wild times with those guys.Seems everything I find is later than 1957. Did everybody die. I know some have gone on but not everybody. Somebody please respond.. It was a very new base when I got there. The concrete wasn,t even all cured.
Thanks men
This article is actually still quite popular, so I hope you’ll be able to make contact with some of your comrades, sir!
SMsgt William Smith,
My grandfather served at Sembach from 1953-1957. He tells a lot of stories about all of the men he served with from various parts of the base. He worked in the flight line machine shop. He knew some of the men in the instrument repair shop during your era (one of his closest friends was an enlisted man named George Powers who may have served with you). It is quite difficult to find a lot of info about the base pre-1960. The closest thing to any information about the base is available in a well written PDF on the following site:
http://www.sembachveterans.org/siteinformation.htm
Mark S.
My father was there at the same time as you and also trained at Chanute. Perhaps you knew him. His name was Billy Martin. He died in 2004. He loved his time in Germany at Sembach.
was at sembach from 6/82-7/84 with the 603rd live on base but work off base
Paul Fritz
I was stationed with the 603rd matron vehicle maintenance dept. Looking for anyone stationed there spring of 67′ in that squadron who remembers us using agent orange as parts cleaner, floor cleaner, drain opener, and anything else Sgt. Bizjak has us do with it. Thanks.
Ralph Fox
i spraed 245t heavy brush in 1969 and 1970 all around sembachair base sgt george torrey 601 ces rodes and grounds call 207 348 6887 in deer isle maine 04627 ror more inf
Hi Ralph – I was a dependent at Sembach from ’66 to ’69 (my dad was with the 2134th Comm Sq), but one of my friends was Ed Bizjak. That must have been his dad you reference in your post. Small world. Ron Jackson (class of ’71)
I wonder what career field your dad was in? I was the chief controller of the GCA Unit in the 2134th from May 1968 – May 1972. Also worked in the control tower. M/Sgt Gareth Goetsch
I was stationed there from 85-88. I have mixed emotions seeing the video and pictures. Sad to see what was such a big part of my Air Force time, now is such disrepair. Thanks for posting the information. Not sure when I will be able to go back to Germany but when I do, there will be a trip to Sembach.
Mark Wales
I was stationed at Sembach 1987-1990 as a crew chief with the EC-130H aircraft(73-1585 aka BART). Those 3 years were the best of my 24 year career and I would have loved to have stayed. We lived north of the base in the little town of Niederkirchen located is a wonderful area with its rolling hills and farming community. The local people were very welcoming to our family and we really enjoyed our stay.
It’s hard seeing the old base in its condition now and since I spent all of my time on the flight line side that is now mostly gone. They built 2 brand new hangers for the aircraft in the late 80’s and located the 6 hard stands around them for aircraft parking.
Thank you for posting the pictures of my old base that I miss dearly..
Any pictures of the old C-130 ramp would be greatly appreciated..
I was stationed there from the summer of 1969 to July of 1971. The base was Air Force but there was a small Army unit there that I was a part of.
I was stationed at Sembach AFB 603 TCS (293×3 – Air to Ground Radio Communications) in the mid 1970’s. My boss was SSGT Andy Anderson and is wife’s name was Kaye. After about 1 year there, I joined the AFRC and spent about another 18 months traveling around Europe teaching Tennis, Kayaking a Swimming (Quit laughing, it was fun teaching officers wives, wink wink!)
Sembach AFB was a GREAT PLACE to be stationed at!
I have a picture on my office wall of an aerial shot of what the compound up on the hill looked like. Brings back good memories every time I look at it.
Jim Schrieber
Jim_Finamore@yahoo.com
Hallo Leute,
anbei Photo Sphere Aufnahmen (wie Google Street View) von Sembach, Sembach Air Base und anderen Orten in der Nähe…
Den Anfang macht der Tower…
https://goo.gl/maps/ZkJBK
https://goo.gl/maps/0Y13g
https://goo.gl/maps/uVHse
https://goo.gl/maps/4EfT5
Die Aufnahmen können gern überall geteilt werden.
Grüsse
My name is Paula Stanback,now Arnette I enjoy this page it really took me back.I was just a kid then but I do remember how things was back I remember the foot ball games,and the basketball games my dad would take all of use kids to. the AYA .the school that was down the bottom hill behind the movies and I think the fire station was across the street.Most of all I remember going down this big hill that was behind one of the housing unit allpp the kids would go down ,when it snow. I just want to thank you for doing this page. Paula Arnette from Winston-Salem,NC
On the question on whether my father was also named David Jackson, his name was Okey Jackson
Paula, I think that was called Mount Whitey, that hill that we went down on sleds, it was back behind the theatre (I think). I also remember Halloween was a big event, everyone in the housing area participated. 1966-69, was in 2nd-5th grade at time. My biggest memory was how involved the base was in support of Sports teams, mainly Baseball and Football, both the Base teams and the AYA teams. Traveling around to Ramstein, Hahn, etc. It was like small college atmosphere. We actually live in unit 79-C4.
Basketball also. I played on the Sembach Tigers Basketball team in !964-1965 and 1965-1966. We just missed out on winning the European Championship that year. We had a great team. Big back line 6-8 6-7 6-6 and we had some amazing guards. Jay Boweman was our coach. We played all over Europe. I was lucky and picked up by Ramstein Rams and we represented Europe in the world wide Championship in Dover Delaware. Semback was a great base. Sure had fun. We use to have reunions but we have lost some of the guys. Hell getting old but thank you for all the friends i met and we kept that friendship over time. Go Sembach Tigers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Was there in 1963 for three months. Kennedy & Krushev arguing over
BERLIN wall.
USAF Europe. Andy Brooks
Tom Smith
I was stationed at Sumach from 1983-1987. I serves as the First Sergeant for the CE, Security Police, Services squadrons as well for Det 1, 81st TFW (A-10s). At Det 1, My office was in the Harden Shelter across from fire department.
I was stationed at Sembach from 1956-1959 with several units. 6914 RSM, 6910 RGM, 30th TRS, 66th FMS. Really enjoyed my time there.
Sad…I was stationed there 1988-1991. It was a beautiful area; quaint little countryside. Had no idea this is what had become of it. It looks so lonely, and forgotten about. As if time moved on and left Sembach in a state of shock, waiting for a savior.
Wow, it must have been a very interesting time to spend at a place like the Sembach Air Base – the end of the Cold War…
I was stationed at Sembach 1982-1992. I was part of the 601st Transportation Squadron and then the 66 Transportation Squadron. I worked in Bldg 132 Vehicle Maintenance as a 472X2. I have fond memories of the Bach, it was the best duty assignment I ever had. I went back to visit in 2006, could not believe how much changed. The beer (Bischoff Pils) was still the best. The oak tree is still at the end of the main gate road and the farmers were spreading /spraying pig or cow manure on the fields. I am now homesick…….
Almost everyone who served at the “bach” said the same thing, “best duty assignment ever.) I was stationed there from 80-82 and and it truly was one of the hidden gems of Air force bases. The club closing everynight with “Freeebird” & “Stairway to Heaven.” What great memories.
Almost everyone who served at the “bach” said the same thing, “best duty assignment ever.) I was stationed there from 80-82 and and it truly was one of the hidden gems of Air force bases. The club closing everynight with “Freebird” & “Stairway to Heaven.” What great memories.
Just discovered this site and have enjoyed reviewing the info very much. Curious if it is out of service now because the last posts were in 2018?? I was stationed at Sembach in 1959 – 1962 with the 6910 th RGM. Have some stories I’d love to share if the site is still open.
Would like to make contact with any ground radio operators that were at sembach afb with the 601st TCS and worked at the CRC above football field from 1971 to 1973. Our office was in an old mobil home. We the moved to wiesbaden afb 73 to 75.my name is george Slavick.
Did not know that Russ, thanks for update. We left Japan in late’66, were transferred to Sembach AFB Germany, where my dad retired in late’69. Came back to the USA on the now retired and sitting (in Philadelphia) SS United States, on its last voyage. Last visited Sembach in 2006, 15 years ago, looked pretty abandoned, guardhouse had German cops on guard. They let us in finally, after reviewing dad’s paperwork. Posted about that trip, again later in this stream of posts.
David Jackson
I just read your posts about Sembach AB with much interest. My experience was much different than yours. I was stationed at Sembach from 68-70 and worked at the Hochspeyer munitions site. In April 2006 my family and I travelled to Europe and the day before we returned to the US we rented a car and drove to Sembach for a trip down memory lane. At the main gate we were greeted by a rather hostile German guard holding an automatic rifle. I explained why I was there and asked if I go on base for a few minutes to show my family the base. All the guard could say was “turn around”! He did let me do a U-turn on the other side of the guard shack. The next day at the Frankfurt airport while waiting to go through customs we were pulled out of line and taken to a room where they searched us and our luggage. When they didn’t find anything they let us go back to the customs line. To this day my wife is still convinced that the base guard traced our rental car and we were placed on some sort of watch list by the authorities. I’m not completely convinced, are you?
Bill Wolfe