[3] In the spring of 1944, as a result of the Luftwaffe going on a defensive footing as part of the "Defense of the Reich" campaign, Jagdgeschwader 26 (JG 26) moved to Nancy, equipped with Messerschmitt Bf 109G day interceptor fighters to attack the American Eighth Air Force heavy bomber fleets attacking targets in Occupied Europe and Germany.

[3] KG 53 remained at Nancy until September when the Luftwaffe was removed from the base by the advancing United States Third Army moving east towards the Saarland.

[citation needed] Nancy Air Base was liberated by Allied ground forces about 20 August 1944 during the Northern France Campaign.

[5] With the end of the war in Europe in May, 1945 the airfield became a central collection point for captured German aircraft as part of Operation Lusty.

[6] During the early years of the Cold War, the French Government allocated Ochey airfield to the United States Air Force as an emergency NATO Dispersed Operating Base for its fighter aircraft stationed in France in the 1950s and 1960s.

In addition, three circular marguerite (French for 'Daisy') system of hardstands that could be revetted later with earth for added protection were laid out, two on the north end of the runway and one on the south.

Today, Nancy Air Base is a front line French airfield, well equipped, flying state of the art aircraft.