USAF Use
Construction of Dreux-Louvilliers Air Base began in September 1952 with the construction of roads and a railroad spur. In November, runway construction began along with various taxiways, hardstands and hangars.
The design of the airfield was to space parked aircraft as far apart as possible by the construction of a circular marguerite system of hardstands that could be revetted later with earth for added protection. Typically the margueriete consisted of fifteen to eighteen hardstands around a large central hangar. Each hardstand held one or two aircraft, and allowed the planes to be spaced approximately 150 feet (50 m) apart. Each squadron was assigned to a separate hangar/hardstand complex. This construction can be seen clearly in the satellite image link at the bottom of this article.
In addition to the operational construction, Dreux had three large 37,000 sq ft (3,400 m2). transport size hangars, and two fighter size hangars that were 31,000 sq ft (2,900 m2). each. The larger hangars provided the space and necessary shops to accommodate two C-119 "Flying Boxcar" cargo planes for periodic inspections. These hangars could also accommodate two C-130 aircraft. Warehouse storage at Dreux consisted of four million cubic feet serviced by two railroad sidings.
Building construction continued for the next several years, and by the summer of 1955 the base was ready for its American occupants.
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