RAF Laarbruch is in Germany near its western border with the Netherlands. Its roots are from the end of World War II, when a landing ground was established to support the final push of Allied forces into Germany and across the Rhine.
The site was developed massively during the Cold War and housed squadrons including Phantoms, Jaguars, Buccaneers and later Tornados. During this period the on-site infrastructure included Hardened Aircraft Shelters (HAS), protected pilots' briefing rooms,and bunkers for command and avionics. The RAF station closed in 1999 but in 2003 the airfield re-opened as a budget airline destination.
Sub Brit visited in 2010 when many buildings were derelict but still extant. Today much of the site has been redeveloped but a small museum on site tells the fascinating history of its days as a major RAF front-line station.