Welcome! In this section you can find some information, pics and tips about Luftwaffe (German Air Force) in Decimomannu.
The goal of the German Command in Deci is to provide all support for Luftwaffe's and Marineflieger's squadrons during all the year when they are deployed in the base.
Luftwaffe Command, called as "Luftwaffen-Übungsplatz-Kommando Deci", has about one hundred german military people in force and about fifth civilian employees in the administration roles, a part of them is italian. The Command is placed in buildings and hangar owned by Italian Air Force, and it is serviced by weekly flights with Germany operated by C-160 Transall for passengers and material transport. Sometime it's used also the Luftwaffe Airbus A-310.



- Photo Collection in Deci by Uwe Steenweg (Luftwaffe specialist): http://www.36vtfw.de/


- Interview with H. "Chips" J.Tobolars (Luftwaffe specialist):

Q.: Which was your role in Luftwaffe?

A.: I was major sergeant in Luftwaffe and I was a Tornado specialist for navigation system.

Q.: Does a Tornado specialist of the Luftwaffe come to Decimomannu everytime there are Tornados deployed here (of any JaBo) or you were assigned only to your squadron?

A.: In Deci I was assigned only to the JaBoG 34 of Memmingen, but sometime I worked for other JaBo. Because I was in good relation with Memmingen people, I have been friend of them so usually they called me to make mission with them.

Q.: How do german specialists come in Decimomannu? by C-160 Transall (or other military planes) or by commercial flights?

A.: Usually by Transall because the trip is short (beh, 4 hours!) but sometime they use also Airbus A-310 and in the past by B-737 of the Luftwaffe or, since Germany was unified, also by Tupolev of the ex-East Germany.

Q.: How is to fly onboard of C-160 ? comfortable? 4 hours..... is there any toilet onboard?

A.: To fly onboard the Transall is uncomfortable. 4 lines of seats (if it is possible to call them like so), two along the walls (with your back towards the wall) and two lines in the center of airplane (back to back). There are not toilets (you have to sweat it out) but I know there are a sort of open hole where is possible to... but you risk to catch cold :-)

Q.: What about Luftwaffe Command in Deci?

A.: The goal of the German Command in Deci is to provide all support for Luftwaffe's and Marineflieger's squadrons during all the year when they are deployed in the base and to complete an enough number of flight missions in Frasca and ACMI range. There is the complete command but in short form with all materials needed, administration, logistic and manutenaince. If something is missing, they bring it in Deci by ferry flights. There is a continue ferry flight between Deci and Germany to transport mail and materials. Transalls are the main carriers.

Q.: Did german squadrons schedule to come in Deci in early time? For example is it possible to know which squadrons will come in Deci? or how many months before?

A.: Yes, I knew to go to Deci many months before my mission (usually 7 weeks twice year), so I think JaboG just knew this information many months before. I think all is planned for all the year but often they decide to come back in Deci to perform some mission cancelled due to bad weather for example.

Q.: Does Luftwaffe have any hangar in Decimomannu for manutenaince works?

A.: Yes, there was the one in front of the flight line, in front of the german ramp, where we worked on airplanes often also after midnight.

Q.: Which is the work timetable of a german military, for example of the specialists?

A.: Usually we work in 2 or 3 turns. For example we were three specialists. The first one begins at 6.00 and finishes at about 14.00 or 15.00. The second one begins at 12.00 or in any case when he just had lunch, so he can cover the lunch time of his collegues, so one works and other one eats. He finishes at about 20.00 if there are not any problems otherwise he remains with the third man. The third man begins at 14.00 when the first one finishes to work and he finishes when the last airplane will be ready to fly next day. So it could be at 20.00 or at 3.00 in the morning for example. I remember we make an agreement so we had a free half day for each one of us. Unfortunatly one time, my collegues were ill so I worked all turns for one week.

Q.: Are any bus available by Luftwaffe to go out in the evening, to go to Cagliari or to the beaches etc...?

A.: Yes, during the week cars and minibus (not necessary for work) are available. For weekend, you can book a minibus (always filled with 5-7 passengers), then you go where you want. Every day there is also a "shuttle" bus by Italian Air Force that can bring you a few of times per day to/from Cagliari.

Q.: How do you see the future of the base of Decimomannu what concerning Luftwaffe?

A.: I think Luftwaffe will continue to operate in Deci because Germany has not good areas where to perform firing exercises, launch bombs or air combat (and if I remember well, it's forbidden in Germany). For this reason Luftwaffe will continue to use Deci, because it has not other choice.