On Sunday 12 June 1988, German Naval Air Station Schleswig hosted one of the most memorable open days of the late Cold War.

Schleswig Airbase
Located in northern Germany near the Danish border, Schleswig was home to Marinefliegergeschwader 1 (MFG 1), the Marineflieger’s frontline Tornado strike force responsible for maritime attack and reconnaissance missions over the Baltic and North Seas. At a time when East and West still faced each other across the Iron Curtain, the airshow provided an opportunity to see an impressive collection of NATO aircraft together in one place.

The 1988 Airshow
The weather was excellent, allowing visitors to enjoy an extensive flying programme. The highlight for many enthusiasts was a spectacular formation display by six Luftwaffe F-4F Phantom IIs. The locally based Tornado IDS aircraft of MFG 1 naturally took centre stage as well, performing several tactical demonstrations that showcased the aircraft’s low-level strike capabilities.The static display was equally impressive, with aircraft parked on a newly resurfaced section of the runway. Among the many international visitors were F-5 Freedom Fighters from the Royal Netherlands Air Force, the Royal Norwegian Air Force, and the Turkish Air Force, Portuguese A-7 Corsairs, as well as Royal Air Force Buccaneers, Jaguars, Tornado GR.1s, and Tornado F.3s. The variety of aircraft reflected the close cooperation between NATO air arms during the final years of the Cold War.