A vertically-oriented rectangular plaque listing names in memory of the American pilots based in Chaumont-Semoutiers who died in service between 1952 and 1967 in France, Germany, but also in Libya. The inscription is written in French and English in black lettering. The plaque was inaugurated on July 4, 2016.

Construction of Chaumont-Semoutiers Air Base started on 25 January 1951, with much effort being made to have minimal facilities ready by November. Various delays, however, pushed runway construction back to October. Minimum facilities were ready for USAF use by April 1952. The entire facility was a work in progress, however, until 1956.

In May 1952, the 137th Fighter-Bomber Wing activated at Chaumont with the 125th, 127th, and 128th Fighter Squadrons flying the F-84G "Thunderjet". The squadrons were drawn from the Oklahoma, Kansas, and Georgia Air National Guards respectively.

The aircraft arrived at Chaumont on 25 June, being the first USAF tactical air fighters to be based permanently in France, albeit working mostly in tents and temporary wooden buildings on their new base.

On 10 July 1952, the 48th Fighter-Bomber Wing activated and took over the mission from the 137 FBW. The 48th, with three fighter-bomber squadrons, the 492d, 493d, and 494th gained the personnel and equipment of the 137th FBW. The 137th FBW was reassigned without personnel and equipment, back to the control of the Oklahoma Air National Guard. The 58 F-84Gs and support aircraft were assigned to the 48th FBW. The few National Guardsmen still with the wing departed.

With the F-84, the 48th FBW formed part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's Allied Command Europe, participating in exercises with the United States Seventh Army. In addition, the 48th conducted operational readiness exercises and tactical evaluations. The 48th was frequently deployed to Wheelus Air Base, Libya for training.

On 15 January 1960, the 48 TFW were redeployed to RAF Lakenheath, UK. In the early morning, the wing's three fighter squadrons lifted off Chaumont's runway and, after making farewell passes over the outlying village, headed toward the English Channel.

With the departure of the 48th TFW, Chaumont-Semoutiers Air Base was placed in reserve status.

Source of information: en.wikipedia.org

Source of photos: Fabrice Loubette / www.aerosteles.net

IN MEMORIAM

La Ville de Chaumont aux pilotes de l'USAF

ayant donné leur vie pour la liberté de 1952 à 1967

Dedicated to the pilots officers memory

who died in air missions flying from Chaumont 1952 - 1967