From Wiesbaden to Ramstein: 80 years of USAFE Published Sept. 30, 2025 By 2nd Lt Eve Daugherty USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – On Sept. 28, 2025, U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa commemorates the 80th anniversary of its headquarters’ move from France to Wiesbaden, Germany, marking a pivotal moment in the history of U.S. airpower on the continent. Following the liberation of Paris on Aug. 25, 1944, United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe moved its headquarters from Bushy Park, England, to Saint Germain-en-Laye, France. After the end of World War II, USSTAF was redesignated as U.S. Air Forces in Europe on Aug. 7, 1945. Just weeks later, the headquarters relocated to 13 Luisenstraße in Wiesbaden, Germany, a building that had served as the Government House for the Hesse-Nassau Administration District during the Weimar Republic. The move allowed the major command to focus on its post-war missions, which included disarming the German Air Force, assisting in the occupation, and disposing of surplus wartime property. By 1953, USAFE had expanded across 22 buildings in downtown Wiesbaden before consolidating at Lindsey Air Station, a former German kasserne, to cut costs and streamline operations. From its Wiesbaden headquarters, USAFE oversaw key missions such as the Berlin Airlift and the early years of Cold War expansion, solidifying its role in maintaining stability in Europe. Eight decades later, USAFE-AFAFRICA continues its legacy of leadership and innovation from its current home at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Today, the command serves as the air component for both U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command. Its mission is to deter aggression, defend U.S. interests, and strengthen NATO and partner nations by projecting combat-ready airpower across more than 100 countries. Modern priorities reflect the evolution from a post-war occupation force to a forward-leaning, expeditionary command. Initiatives such as agile combat employment, distributed command and control, and interoperability with allied and partner nations ensure that USAFE-AFAFRICA can rapidly respond to crises and deter adversaries across two continents. Recent exercises, including Ramstein Flag 2025, demonstrated the ability to operate from multiple locations, integrate seamlessly with NATO partners, and sustain high-tempo missions in dynamic environments. From Wiesbaden in 1945 to Ramstein in 2025, USAFE-AFAFRICA has remained a cornerstone of U.S. airpower in Europe and Africa. As it marks its 80th anniversary in Germany, the command’s history reflects both continuity and transformation, always adapting to new challenges while staying committed to its mission of defending freedom alongside allies and partners.