Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 73

[1] On 1 April 1959 JG 73 was formed at the former RAF Ahlhorn and Oldenburg, using Canadair Sabre aircraft.

In 1994 the first MiGs were stationed at Laage to form an alert flight for Air Policing.

The relocation of the F-4 Phantoms was eventually conducted in 1997 which meant the formal decommissioning of air base at Pferdsfeld.

[2] Only a few months later, in August 2004, the last remaining MiG-29s in the Luftwaffe were sold to Poland where the majority continue to fly operationally with the 41st Tactical Squadron stationed at the 22nd Air Base in Malbork (as of 2010).

One pilot ejected and his parachute activated; he was caught in a tree, where he remained for about 20 minutes until rescued.