Papa Air Base  In-depth Overview

Build a multinational team capable of flexibly responding to strategic airlift taskings. Focus that integrated team on conducting all C-17 missions: air land, air refueling and air drop. Partner with our host base, NATO Airlift Management Programme (NAMP) and Boeing to shape a future that supports innovative expansion to a broader mission set.

Papa Air Base was founded in 1936. In 1937 two Bomber Squadrons of the Royal Hungarian Air Force began flying Junkers JU-86's out of Papa. During WWII Papa was used as a Messerschmitt 109 fighter base for the German Luftwaffe. After WWII, the Soviet Union Air Force's based MIG fighters at Papa until 1961. The base was handed over to the Hungarian Air Force in the fall of 1961, flying MIG-21's. In 1979 the 47th Tactical Fighter Regiment began flying the MIG-23's. In June 2001 the 47th Tactical Fighter Regiment was deactivated. Since July 2001 Papa AB has been designated as a NATO reserve base. The initial cadre of the Heavy Airlift Wing arrived at Papa Air Base in October 2008 and the Wing officially stood up on 27 July 2009.

Papa Air Base has over 150+ total personnel and family members from the nations Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, and the United States, as well as personnel from Boeing and their families.

Papa Air Base is located in the historical town of Papa in Veszprem county, Hungary, located close to the northern edge of the Bakony Hills, approximately 100 miles east of Vienna, Austria and 100 miles west of Budapest. With its 33,000 inhabitants, it is an important cultural, economic and tourism center of the region. Pápa has a large historical center, with renovated old burger's houses, cafes, and museums, including the Blue-Dyeing Museum (Kékfestő Múzeum), set up in a former factory which produced clothes and other textiles dyed with indigo blue under a unique method. The town is also noted for its thermal baths, particularly a newly constructed swimming complex, the Esterházy family's palace, its grand Roman Catholic Church, and Calvinist secondary school. It also boasts a large park near the center of town. The local cost-of-living is within a comfortable mid-range. Pápa Air Base is close to one of the largest lakes in Hungary, 90 minute drive from the capital city of Budapest. Travel opportunities are limitless in Hungary as well as to neighboring countries. The Heavy Airlift Wing Admin Office's Operator's phone number is DSN 314-478-4903 or commercial +011-36-8988-6030.

Since Papa Air Base is a small installation, there is no base-shuttle. There are cars available for rent and taxis available in Papa, however, taxis cannot enter the Base.