About This File
FS2004 Scenery--Torrejon Air Force Base (LETO), 1957-62. Torrejon Air Base was originally the home of the Spanish National Institute of Aeronautics, but as a result of an agreement between Franco and the Unites States in 1953 an air base was created there with a large military apron and a runway 13,400 feet long - the longest in Europe for some decades. Officially opened in June 1957, both US bombers and fighters were based there, most significantly the B-47 Stratojet, which had too short a range to be operated only from the U.S. In July of 1958 the 497th Fighter Interceptor Squadron became the first permanently stationed Air Defence Group operating F-86L Sabres and from April 1960 the F-102 Delta Dagger. Over the years many different units and therefore many different aircraft types did TDY (Temporary Duty Assignments - usually 30-90 days) at Torrejon. Units of the Spanish Air Force were also present and are represented in this scenery package. By Al Von Pingel and Ken Lawson.