The Magic Of Meiringen
Meiringen Air Base must be a bucket list location for photographers, particularly those drawn to photographing aircraft in dramatic environments.
Nestled deep in the Swiss Alps, the base is surrounded by sheer rock faces, snow‑capped peaks, and lush alpine valleys that create a spectacular natural backdrop. The constantly changing Alpine conditions and strong seasonal contrasts mean no two visits ever feel the same, allowing photographers to produce images that feel dynamic, authentic, and unmistakably Swiss.
What sets Meiringen apart from most military airfields is the remarkable access available along the runway and taxiways. Viewpoints place photographers astonishingly close to live aircraft operations, offering unobstructed vantage points that are increasingly rare at military bases today. At the closest point, members of the public can stand roughly 90 feet from the runway edge as F/A‑18s launch on daily operations—an unforgettable experience that is difficult to replicate anywhere else.
Adding to the base’s uniqueness is one of its most talked‑about features: taxiways that cross a public road. When the resident Fliegerstaffel 11 Hornets taxi from their underground hangars carved into the mountainside, road traffic is temporarily halted to allow the jets to pass. The result is a remarkable moment where everyday civilian life intersects with front‑line military aviation — something almost unheard of elsewhere in the world.
Meiringen’s appeal is further enhanced by the Swiss Air Force’s transparency around flying activity. Flying hours and exercises are published well in advance, allowing enthusiasts to plan visits with a high level of confidence. While intended primarily to inform local residents of periods of increased noise, this openness also removes much of the guesswork photographers face at military bases elsewhere. In recent years, this has proven invaluable when planning trips around F‑5 Tiger deployments, where small numbers of jets relocate to act as aggressors for the based Hornets, or to capture the atmospheric Monday night flying. This approach reflects Switzerland’s commitment to openness and accountability. while inadvertently creating one of the most photographer‑friendly military aviation environments in the world.
The combination of jaw‑dropping scenery, unparalleled access, and genuinely unique infrastructure elevates Meiringen Air Base beyond a simple airfield. Whether capturing a Hornet blasting off against a wall of granite or a jet rolling across a quiet Alpine road, photographers leave with images that feel dramatic, intimate, and utterly distinctive.
