The land that became CFB Lahr was previously the site of a German airship hangar until 1918, which was then occupied by the French Air Force from the early 1950s to 1967.

Remaining non-nuclear armed units in France were repositioned to Marville, and RCAF Station Grostenquin closed in 1964.

This forced the RCAF to look for a home in western Europe for 1 Wing and 1 Air Division Headquarters.

They settled on Base Aérienne 139 Lahr which the Armée de l'Air was vacating as per the French government's announced withdrawal from NATO.

Further defence cuts and consolidation saw Canadian Forces Europe units based in Soest area of northern West Germany, along with those units based in nearby Hemer-Deilinghofen, Werl, and Unna, moved to CFB Lahr (some also moved to CFB Baden-Soellingen), with air force units concentrated at CFB Baden-Soellingen.

Army units stationed at CFB Lahr were organized under 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group and were mostly heavy armour, using Centurion tanks then Leopard tanks, plus armoured personnel carriers and self-propelled artillery, in succession.

The last unit to leave CFB Lahr was 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group on August 31, 1993.