AG-51 History
The reason I feel a special connection to the AG-51 is that my late father-in-law was assigned to the squadron. He flew the RF-4 in the first echelon in the late seventies; the time I met my
wife.
I will not duplicate the content of the AG-51 home page, which I encourage you to visit. They have published very nice pictures of their recon aircraft. The site is in German, but below you
can find an overview of the squadron's history in English.
Squadron History
1959
Nomination order for the Recon Squadron 51
1959
Put under command of the German Air Force Group South
1959
Commission of Recon Squadron 51 on the base Erding (ETSE)
1959
Outfitted with the RF-84F Thunderflash
1960
Start of redeployment to the base Ingolstadt-Manching (ETSI)
1960
ETSI became the first German air base directly under command of the NATO
1960
The owl officially became the Squadron insignia
1960
Completion of the redeployment to ETSI
1961
Grant of the traditional name "Immelmann"
1961
The Squadron was put under command of the NATO
1963
Open day with air show and over 100,000 visitors
1965
Refitting with the RF-104G Starfighter
1968
1st award of the Prinz-Heinrich prize
1969
Redeployment to the base Bremgarten (EDSG)
1970
Award of the Flugsicherheitspreis (Flight Safety Award)
1971
Refitting with the RF-4E Phantom
1972
Open day with air show and over 100,000 visitors
1973
2nd place on the NATO competition Royal Flush XVII
1975
Best rating at TAC EVAL
1975
1st place on the NATO competition Royal Flush XVIII
1976
Participation in the Frankfurt Flight Show with two F-4 Phantom
1976
2nd award of the Prinz-Heinrich prize
1976
Open day with air show and over 150,000 visitors
1977
Celebration of 50,000 incident free flight hours
1977
Echelon exchange with the 41 (F) Squadron Coltishall
1978
Echelon exchange with Italian squadron based at Gioia del Colle
1979
3rd award of the Prinz-Heinrich prize
1978
Echelon exchange with Norwegian squadron based at Rygge
1978
Echelon exchange with Danish squadron based at Karup
1980
Host to 18x F-15 after transatlantic flight ("Coronet Eagle 80")
1981
Deployment of a command to Beja/Portugal
1982
Host to 24x F-15 and 573 personnel (58. TFS – 33. TFW Florida)
1983
Echelon exchange with Turkish 113 Sqn based at Eskisehir
1984
4th award of the Prinz-Heinrich prize
1984
Host to 60th Fighter Sqn (Eglin) with 12x F-15 and 330 personnel
1989
Award of the Flugsicherheitspreis (Flight Safety Award)
1991
5th award of the Prinz-Heinrich prize
1991
Award of the Flugsicherheitspreis (Flight Safety Award)
1992
Release from NATO assignment
1993
Award of the Flugsicherheitspreis (Flight Safety Award)
1993
The last aircraft leaves the base
1993
Decommissioning with Great Tattoo
1994
The last soldier leaves the base
In 1994 the new Recon Squadron 51 was commissioned at the base Schleswig-Jagel (ETNS). While the traditional name "AG-51 Immelmann" survived, the Red Owl was retired and replaced by the
Black Panther of AG-52.
Click on the logo to visit the official homepage.
Bremgarten Airport
The airport Bremgarten (EDSG, today EDTG) was planned in 1950 by the "Haute Commission alliéé en Allemagne". Construction work began in 1952 and by 1953 the airport was in full operation
with the Brigade Aerienne of the French Air Force.
RF-4E - Special Paintwork
Twice the AG-51 has created very remarkable paint schemes for the RF-4 to honor special moments. I would like to pay tribute to Michael Pearson for creating these special
liveries for Flight Simulator:
25th Anniversary
,
Last Call
, and the
camouflage scheme
.
Two repaints and two photos ;-)
(all photos on this page are © Traditionsverein Aufklärungsgeschwader 51 "Immelmann" Bremgarten e.V.)
