Knislinge airbase: A hidden piece of Sweden's Cold War history

In the northeastern Skåne region, Knislinge airbase, a former military airfield near Knislinge, was crucial for Sweden's air defense during the Cold War. Constructed between 1962 and 1965, the airbase was designed under the Bas 60 system, featuring a central airfield and surrounding facilities. The central airfield at Knislinge airbase measured 2000 x 25 meters. Plans for expansion to Bas 90 were abandoned with the end of the Cold War. The airbase primarily served as a base for fighter aircraft.

The runway had 'Framom' advance take-off areas at both ends, with multiple positions for refueling and arming aircraft. In the northern part of the runway, there were 4 'Törebodabågar', protective tunnel structures for aircraft and personnel from rain. Knislinge airbase was part of F 10 in Ångelholm. After the 2005 storm Gudrun, the runway was used as a debris storage area. Upon decommissioning, some equipment around the airfield was dismantled, such as the V-defense cannons.

In 2003, Miljö- och byggnadsnämnden in Östra Göinge kommun approved the construction of a motor- and technology field. Known as Bivaröds flygfält, it has since been used for drifting. Most of the information in this article comes from an article in Göinge Hembygdsförenings årsbok 2008: 'Knislinge flygplats 1962-2003' by Sverker Erlansson.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons