Calm before the storm? Eurofighter noise is falling despite more flights!

Calm before the storm? Eurofighter noise is falling despite more flights!

At Laage Air Base in the Rostock district, things seem to have calmed down somewhat with regard to military flights. So far this year, only four complaints have been made about noise pollution from the Eurofighter. Compared to the 67 complaints in 2024 and the 76 in 2022, this is a clear sign that citizens have become more understanding overall. Squadron spokesman Jan Seemann notes that expressions of gratitude for the flights outnumber complaints, indicating a growing understanding of the security situation in Europe. A local municipal mayor also emphasized that acceptance of the training flights has increased as many citizens recognize the need.

Lieutenant Colonel Wolfgang Lechner from the Bundeswehr Aviation Office explained that all complaints are recorded and the corresponding flight data is precisely evaluated. For the past year, there were no violations of regulations such as minimum flight altitudes or maximum speeds during the evaluation. In Tactical Air Force Squadron 73, in which all German Eurofighter pilots are trained, the number of pilots trained annually is to be doubled in the coming years - from around 16 to a larger number. However, an increase in flight operations is not automatically linked to an increase in the training workload.

Night flights and their challenges

The situation at the military airfield in Neuburg an der Donau is similar. Residents there have been used to aircraft noise for decades, but the pollution continues. Hildegard Weis, spokeswoman for the Marienheim district, says that she cannot get used to the loud Eurofighters, but supports the work of Tactical Air Force Squadron 74, which secures regional jobs. The Air Force has announced night flights from Monday to Thursday between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. for several weeks. Col. Gordon Schnitger, squadron commodore, highlights the importance of night flights for pilot training as they train for the challenges of flying without a natural horizon.

On the other hand, the Bundeswehr's Air Transport Squadron 62 is currently practicing night flight training with A400M transport aircraft at Wunstorf Air Base in Lower Saxony. These flights, which take place from dusk until around midnight, produce unusual noises over Lower Saxony and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. These exercises involve the use of night vision goggles, which can only be trained in dark conditions. At least two aircraft and two pilots are usually involved in these exercises and fly at low altitudes to avoid the risk of collision. Here too, it was stipulated that a minimum height of 150 meters must not be fallen below.

In order to minimize noise pollution, Laage Air Base ensures that no supersonic flights are carried out over Rostock and reduces night flights between April and September. Eurofighter pilots also want to be considerate of funerals in the surrounding communities and can choose alternative approach routes if necessary. Information about the flights is updated regularly and the Air Force has set up a citizens' hotline for inquiries and complaints. These measures show that, despite the unavoidable noise pollution, a dialogue between the military and residents should be promoted in order to increase acceptance.

As the respective flying units in Neuburg and Laage show, the Air Force ensures that the focus is on both the safety and well-being of local residents. Much is being asked of local communities, but mutual understanding could be the key to a more harmonious coexistence between civilian populations and military activities.