Florennes Air Base - Spotting Guide

Florennes Air Base – Spotting Guide

August 27, 2022 - last modified on November 20, 2023

The Jean Offrenberg Air Base in Florennes (IACO: EBFS) is located in the southwest of the province of Namur, 3 kilometers from Florennes and 30 from Namur. The base was opened by the Germans in 1942, flying FW190, ME110 and J88. In 1948 the base was taken over by the Belgian Air Force, and by the 2wing, the Unit is equipped with Supermarine Spitfires, followed by F-84E Thunderjet in 1951, F-84F Thunderstreak in 1955, Mirages V BA, BR , BD in 1970 and finally Fighting Falcon F-16 in 1988.

It now houses the 1st “”Stingers”” squadron and the 350th “”Ambriorix”” squadron flying about twenty F-16 MLUs. The base also serves as a training ground for Melsbroeck’s A400M and SF260 Marchetti, but also internationally for NATO countries. Flights are taking place on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

By 2025, the phasing out of the F-16s will follow the arrival of the F-35s.

Written by Corentine Romedenne. Last Update: July 2022

Rating
Movements
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
08L/26R	3.388 m (11.116 ft) – Asphalt
08R/26L	2.250 m (7.381 ft) – Asphalt
Spotting Information
Ladder	Ladder is needed at spots 2-3.
Car/Public Transport	There is a bus from Florennes to the village of Chaumont (Spot 1) and Corenne (Spot 2-4)
Drinks/Food	Nothing at the spots. Supermarkt and Restaurant can be found in the city of Florennes.
Hotels	Can be found in the city of Florennes.
Season	Flights are taking place on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The weather can be pretty variable. Best periods are late spring, whole summer and early autumn. Winter gives an opportunity for some nice light pictures as well, without heat-haze.
Security	It is an active military base so have all the time your ID with you. Use of a ladder is no problem.
Runway Usage
08L/26R	Major runway for all flights. Transport aircraft like A400, MRTT use this one.
08R/26L	Alternate runway and taxiway for F-16s.

	Spot #1 – Chaumont – 08R arrivals
WHERE	From the village of Florennes follow the signs to the second gate of the air base. Turn right on Rue de Chaumont and drive southwards. When you have passed the approach path, take a dirt road to your left. You can park further on this dirt road and start spotting either on point A for. A bus stops in the nearby village of Chaumont, approximate one kilometer westwards of the position.

WHAT	Best for runway 08R arrivals and 26L take offs from point A. 08L arrivals and 26R can be seen from point B further up the farm track but due to the distance photography is tricky because of heat distortion. Same issue for the taxing and the aircraft parking lots from other countries which can be seen as well from here.

TIME	For the runway the light is good from morning to afternoon in the summer. In winter all day long.

MISC.	There is absolutely nothing nearby, so be prepared.

FOCAL LENGTH	F-16 = 400-500mm on 08R F-16 = 600+mm for 08L

	Spot #2 – Fields – 26R arrivals
WHERE	From Florennes drive eastwards to Corenne on the N975. Once in the village turn right into the road Rue de Rosée that runs along the eastern part of the field. After passing the approach path park your car on the side of the farm road. Now walk along the fence between the fields and the track for 200 meters. A bus stops in the nearby village of Corenne,

WHAT	Arrivals of runway 26R and line up on 26R.

TIME	For the runway the light is good from morning to afternoon in the summer. In winter all day long. For the line-up from sunrise to afternoon.

MISC.	Two steps are needed to clear the small fence. There is absolutely nothing nearby, so be prepared. Stay along the fence and pay attention to the cultivations of the farmer.

FOCAL LENGTH	F-16 = 300mm

	Spot #3 – Fence corner – 08L departures/arrivals + 26R departures/arrivals + taxiway
WHERE	Use the same direction as described above but continue along the fence for another 200-300 meters unitl the corner.

WHAT	Arrivals on 26R, takeoffs and taxis to 26R. Takeoffs from the runways 08L and taxis out of 08L. It is possible to have a general view of the parked F-16s.

TIME	For the runway the light is good from morning to afternoon in the summer. In winter all day long. For the taxiway from sunrise until late noon.

MISC.	Two steps are needed to clear the small fence. There is absolutely nothing nearby, so be prepared. Stay along the fence and pay attention to the cultivations of the farmer.

FOCAL LENGTH	F-16 taxiway = 200mm F-16 departure = 400mm A400 departure = 400mm

	Spot #4 – Fields – 08R departures + 26L arrivals + General vue
WHERE	Now continue southwards for 200 meters until the approach of 08R. It is not possible to go further down to the south side of the approach because it is fenced off by the farmer.

WHAT	You can see the arrivals of the 26L and a general view of the parked F-16s

TIME	Not the best position as you face the sun for almost the whole day.

MISC.	There is absolutely nothing nearby, so be prepared. Stay along the fence and pay attention to the cultivations of the farmer.

FOCAL LENGTH	F-16 = 300mm