Back To Büchel  - TLG33 Tornado’s Head Home

After relocation in June 2022, Germany’s last-remaining frontline Tornado strike unit prepares to return home. Chris Melaisi catches up with Tactical Air Wing 33 (TLG33) to find out more.  

At the beginning of June 2022, Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 33 or TaktLwG 33 (TLG33) Tornado’s made the historic move from their homebase of Büchel to the nearby Nörvenich air base, home of the TLG31 Eurofighter Typhoon. The relocation occurred so Büchel could close its doors in order to implement major, necessary upgrades to infrastructure ahead of the arrival of Germany’s first Lockheed F-35A, which are scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2026. After 4 years of continued work at the base, the 33rd air wing’s 400+ personnel are ready to return home with their 25 Tornado IDS (Interdiction Strike) and will be met with various upgraded facilities.

Büchel’s Tactical Tornado Force:

Flying in Germany for over 40 years, the Tornado IDS continues to perform as required, flying daily training sorties to practice handling, tactics and visit the bombing range in the North. With the imminent arrival of the F-35A, the Tornado’s replacement, the clock is running down for the ageing jet as the Luftwaffe prepare to make a historic switch to the new  6th generation fighter. Lieutenant Colonel Koske, Commander of TaktLwG 33 provides an insight to heading home and the future with the Tornado, ‘After 4 years, the soldiers and civilian employees of the tactical airwing are more than happy to be coming back to their home base. Those 4 years meant a lot of commuting and time away from their families, we will be heading back to Büchel during June 2026. During our time at Nörvenich, Büchel has been extensively upgraded since the last time a Tornado was there, although most of the updates have been focussed toward the new F-35 campus, the airbase includes a new runway, taxiways, lighting system and an ILS (Instrument Landing System). Currently, the Tornado’s end of service date is schedule to be the 31st of December 2030. The first F-35A will arrive in Germany this year (2026) and be located at Büchel at the end of 2027, with both aircraft flying together at Büchel until the Tornado’s out of service date.’

An exciting occurrence in 2026 is the appearance of German Air Force Tornado’s in the European airshow circuit. Not only are TLG33 participating with a solo display, but the wing’s colleagues in the North, TLG51 based at Schleswig have also provided a Tornado ECR (Electronic Combat/Reconnaissance) for display’s across the continent. Germany are presenting the jet, not just to appreciate a type at the twilight of its career but to demonstrate the aircraft’s unique capabilities and strengths which currently play a vital role within the Luftwaffe and NATO. The commander adds ‘The Tornado has been part of the airshow circuit for the last two years already. The display aircrew is proud to have been selected for this mission and looks forward to the opportunity to represent their squadron, airwing and the Luftwaffe.’ 

Looking Forward:

Although time is slowly running out for the Tornado in Europe, Germany will be the final operator of the aircraft, with both Tornado variants scheduled to retire at the same time in late 2030. Under German watch, the Tornado has been consistently upgraded keeping it current and reliable. Upgrades between 2024-2026, when the TLG33 Tornado IDS have been stationed at Nörvenich have seen aircraft receive an update to ASSTA (Avionic System Software Tornado in Ada) which included mainly software changes and integration of the AARGM (Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile). Until its end of service, the Tornado is scheduled for at least one further major upgrade which will include a new HUD (Head’s-Up Display). A recent deployment saw the wing’s aircraft participate in the Tactical Leadership Programme at Albacete Spain in late 2025. Lieutenant Colonel Koske speaks about operations over the next few months, ‘The current focus is on returning all aircraft safely back to Büchel in June. At the same time Tactical Air Wing 33 will participate in the NATO Exercise Ramstein Flag (RAFL26) in Finland and Sweden for low level flying training and one focus for 2027 will be our participation in Germany’s Air Defender 2027.’

‘The mighty fin’ – a characteristic of the Tornado is its large tail fin, here Tornado IDS 44+34, callsign ‘BOMBER’ taxis from the Nörvenich HAS under the power of one engine. The aircraft is seen carrying a TSPJ (Tornado Self Protecting Jammer) on the port wing.   

Panavia Tornado IDS 44+31 wearing the ‘Blue Lightning’ scheme is one of the gate guards at Nörvenich. Belonging to JaBoG 31, the squadron operated the Tornado IDS up until 2010 before transitioning to the Eurofighter and becoming TaktLwG 31.

Returning in afternoon sunshine ‘HITMAN’ (44+33) is seen about to touch down on Runway 06 after a sortie.