The first airfield at Chievres was established during World War I. The Germans flew biplanes from a single grass runway. Re-built by the Germans in 1940, the airfield was called air base 404. The Italian Air Force stationed bombers at Chievres in 1940. This led the Belgian Government to declare war on Italy. Luftwaffe bombers used air base 404 to attack targets in England. Airplanes from Chievres attacked the allies in Normandy during the allied invasion of Europe that began on 6 June 1944. Chievres airfield was bombed over 30 times during the war. The occupying forces withdrew in 1944, and from October 1944, the allied forces used Chievres as a base from which to attack the retreating Germans and to bomb positions in the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge. Since 1968, Chievres Air Base has been under the care of the NATO/SHAPE Support Group now known as 80th Area Support Group (NSSG). Air operations are conducted by the United States Air Force. The air base has a post exchange, library, commissary, pet kennel and coin-operated laundry.
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), home to 16 allied nations in support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). SHAPE is the highest military headquarters within Allied Command Europe (ACE). SHAPE is located about 45 miles (60 kilometers) southwest of Brussels (capital of Belgium) and has been given municipal status by the Belgian Government. It is only two hours from Paris, France and Luxembourg. SHAPE is led by the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe (SACEUR), a four-star general. The international staff at SHAPE and the subordinate military headquarters plan and coordinate the deployment of the NATO's military forces in ACE. SHAPE is comprised of 16 nations working side-by-side, ensuring mission readiness for NATO.
Main
phone numbers: 011-32-65-44-7111 or DSN 423-711
