From 1965 until 1984 the legendary F-104 STARFIGHTER flew 200.000 hours on the Lechfeld before the Fighter Bomber Wing 32 started its conversion to the MRCA (Multi Role Combat Aircraft) PA-200 TORNADO in the IDS (Interdictor Strike) version.

In 1991 a new version of the TORNADO was introduced to the Luftwaffe: the ECR (Electronic Combat and Reconaissance). 321 Squadron was – together with 382 Squadron in Jever – the first operational unit to be equipped with the new aircraft. In 1994 when finally all the systems, sub-systems and software updates were fitted to the aircraft, the conversion was completed.

The ECR TORNADO (stil) is unique in the Luftwaffe. All of our ECR jets which were not scrapped went to Tactical Wing 51 “Immelmann” in Schleswig (the former Recce Wing 51) which is now the only wing equipped with this type of aircraft. Within NATO the aircraft and its mission is not unique (as it was after the F-4G WILD WEASEL were decomissioned until 1999). The 50 Stormo at Piacenza in Italy is also equipped with it.

In 1995 ECR TORNADOs  were deployed to Piacenza in Italy, in support of the UN missions for peace on the Balkans. Since then, they formed – together with the Recce Tornados from 51st Recce wing (Immelmann) – the Luftwaffe’s Operational Wing No. 1 at Piacenza airbase in Northern Italy.

After thousands of flying hours within the framework of UNPROFOR, IFOR and SFOR the Luftwaffe embarked upon its first warlike operation since WW II in March 1999. As part of operation ALLIED FORCE to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Kosovo, german ECR TORNADOs were employed from the first night to protect other NATO aircraft from surface to air missiles (SAMs). During all the nights and days while a flight of german ECR TORNADOs was present over Kosovo, not one single allied aircraft was hit by a serb SAM.

Some rooms in the squadron building
hall W-E	computer based training	briefing room	office	hall E-W

Our home: Lechfeld airfield and our squadron buildings from above
Lechfeld from space	Lechfeld on approach	our squadron buildings

SQUADRON – “HOT” TOPICS26.10.2012The First Squadron of FBW 32 (321 Tigers) is no longer existentToday, the Squadron of the 321 Tigers from the Lechfeld was quietly disbanded. No ceremony, no nothing. The two squadrons from FBW 32 had flown for a couple of months out of the 322 sqadron so that it was a foreseeable consequence that one squadron had to leave. Nevertheless would it have been a better solution if both squadron would have been disbanded together with the wing in a nice ceremoniy.02-06-2006Change of Command at the 321 Lechfeld Tigers

With the last flight of the squadron commander LTC Michael Sylla, and the official handover of the command to his successor, Major Lothar Sauermann, on Friday 2nd June 2006, the change of command at the 321 Tigers was complete.

Already the wednesday before, May 31st, in the course of a so called ‘Italian Red Carpet Night’, the so far last flight of the old CO took place. Approx. 150 guests followed the invitation to this special event, which was accompanied by a frame program, which offered, besides a static display and a ‘show briefing’, also a full scale late shift flight program of the Tigers.

The numerous friends and relatives of the Tigers who showed up this evening, received a very interresting view into the daily life of a flying squadron. Rounded off was this day with the welcome when our ‘Tiger Boss’ and his WSO and former senior ops officer of the Tigers, LTC ‘Monte’ Berg, who was also on his last flight in Lechfeld, finally landed. Both were welcomed at the shelter by many special guests and by a group of extraordinary pretty cheerleaders. The following reception at the squadron bar with italian wine and specialties gave a good frame for the good-bye words of the commander of the flying group.

Finished was this eventful week then on friday with the official ceremony for the handover of the command of the 1. Squadron FBW 32. LTC Mike Sylla will – following this “best flying assignment”, which he was allowed to fullfil for nearly 3 years – attend the canadian international staff officer course at the Canadian Forces College in Torontoin, Canada. After that, starting July 2007, he will serve 3 more years as a Luftwaffe liason officer at the canadian NDHQ- National Defence Headquater, Ottawa.

Good luck for you Mike and your family!!

***
Honour roll: our dead squadron comrades. They lost their life on duty for peace, justice and freedom.They will not be forgotten!
Uffz Bannasch + 19.06.1961	Hptm Brandt + 18.05.1981	Uffz Danielcik + 09.03.1959
Uffz Eichler + 17.08.59	Hptm Höflich + 29.08.1973	Olt Hölker + 15.09.64
HFw Kellenter + 22.01.70	Uffz Lünse + 22.06.1959	Olt Schawer + 12.04.2007
Lt Schiller + 23.03.1971	Uffz Spohner + 22.06.1959	Fw Thiedemann + 18.03.1966
Hptm Zacharias + 24.10.1985	Hptm Schimpf (322) +24.10.1985