In June 1915 Manfred von Richthofen was assigned to Großenhain for his initial training as an aerial observer.

On 1 March 1935, Department B of the flying school of the German Air Sports Association Celle-Wietzenbruch took over the base and immediately began training military pilots.

After most of the squadrons were relocated shortly after the start of World War II, the Reconnaissance Aviation School 1 (F) Heer was set up on 26 August 1939.

As the war continued, various fighter and fighter-bomber squadrons were stationed at Großenhain from July 1944, which also flew missions against the Red Army from here.

In late 1951 the Soviet Air Force 105th Fighter Aviation Division equipped with the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15s was transferred to Großenhain.

In December 2022, the Free State of Saxony, the district of Meißen and the city of Großenhain signed a declaration of intent that flight operations should be discontinued in order to be able to develop a 145-hectare industrial area on the site.

In 2023 Rheinmetall planned to build a new munitions factory on part of the airfield site, but this was opposed by the local government and residents.