HSG64 headquarters to be relocated
According to plans of the Bundeswehr, the Wing Headquarters of Hubschraubergeschwader 64 (HSG64) will be relocated from Laupheim air base to Holzdorf air base.
Early July 2023, the Bundestag Budget Committee released the budget for the procurement of sixty Boeing CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. The initial operation of the new CH-47F has the highest priority, at the same time the squadron must ensure temporary parallel operations with the CH-53G Stallion.
The assignment of the new helicopters also results in a change for the headquarters of the squadron. According to current status, the Luftwaffe's (GAF, German Air Force) plans call for the staff to be relocated from Laupheim to the Holzdorf so that it can begin operations in 2026. As this is a deployment decision, approval from the Department of Defence is required.
It has been reported that only twelve of the 60 Chinook helicopters will be stationed in Laupheim. The main component, consisting of 47 Chinooks, will be based at Holzdorf. One aircraft will go the Wehrtechnische Dienststelle 61 (WTD61) at Ingolstadt/Manching.
According to the commander of HSG64, Lieutenant Colonel Nicolas Bulitz, Laupheim has not enough space to station a large nummber of Chinooks in addition to the two squadrons of CH-53G heavy-lift helicopters (1.FlgStff/HSG64 and 2.FlgStff/HSG64) and one squadron of H145M light multi-purpose helicopters (4.FlgStff/HSG64). The airbase could not be expanded due to its proximity to the city area. Holzdorf has more space with only one squadron of CH-53Gs (3.FlgStff/HSG64) currently based.
The commander also pointed out the labor market situation, where in an economically strong region like Upper Swabia, the Bundeswehr competes with many well-known companies for workers. The plan for Laupheim is to further strengthen the 'Special Operations' section (4.FlgStff/HSG64) of the special forces. The fifteen H145Ms currently based in Laupheim are to be supplemented by a further ten H145Ms - subject to approval by the Bundestag. Scramble Magazine assesses that the twelve Chinooks to be based at Laupheim will be part of the 'Special Operations'section.
The first Chinooks will be stationed in Holzdorf from 2027, and Laupheim will receive the first aircraft from 2030.
CH-47F image by Boeing, CH-53G photo by Hans van Herk