Armstrong Heliport

Buedingen Army Airfield was built in 1958 with involvement of the 9th Engineer Battalion from Aschaffenburg. It has been home to Cavalry and Combat units since and it was rebuilt around 1967. Its hangar was renovated early in the new millenium and brought up to modern standards. Büdingen Airfield is no longer capable of fixed wing operations and consequently called Armstrong Heliport. Armstrong Barracks is situated only a few hundred meters away from the heliport. Final occupants were the 15 OH-58D(I) of 1st Squadron/1st Cavalry Regiment of 1st Armored Division.

When the decision was taken - as part of its 2002 aviation transformation plan - to transfer the 1970s-vintage reconnaissance helicopters from cavalry units in heavy divisions such as the Germany-based 1st Infantry and 1st Armored Divisions to beef up OH-58 squadrons elsewhere, this led to packing up of the Kiowas of 1st AD’s 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment in spring 2005 and shipment back to the United States. In late spring 2005, Troops D, E and F of the cavalry squadron cased their colors for the last time and were deactivated. Although later, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment will add an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle platoon, the withdrawal of the 1st Armored Division from Germany makes it unlikely that - altough it will remain open - any aviation assets will ever be stationed at this small airfield again.