<item><hi format=bold>Location and Origin of Name:</hi> eight miles east of Bitburg, and named for nearby village
</list>
<p>The base was opened in 1953 as a USAFE facility with the 10th TRW taking up residence from Toul-Rosi_res AB, France in May 1953. The unit relocated to RAF Alconbury in August 1959 when the 49th TFW moved to Spangdahlem AB from Etain-Rouvres AB, France. The wing returned home in July 1968 as the USAF's first 'dual-based' NATO-committed fighter unit prepared to return to Europe if and when necessary. The unit returned to Germany annually as part of this commitment under Operation Crested Cap, although other units were substituted when the 49th TFW sent aircraft and personnel to Thailand in 1972. The 39th TEWS formed in April 1969 operating the EB-66C/E, but was assigned to the 36th TFW with HQ at Bitburg AB as Spangdahlem did not have a resident flying wing. The base was attached to the 36th TFW later in the month, with the 23rd TFS transferred from Bitburg to Spangdahlem. The 52nd TFW was formed at Spangdahlem in December 1971 to operate the two squadrons independently of the 36th TFW. The 39th TEWS inactivated in January 1973 and was replaced by the 81st TFS, before finally becoming a three-squadron wing when it was joined by the 480th TFS in November 1976. The base add the A-10A and F-15C/D in early 1993 to become the first USAFE composite wing.
