Ramstein Air Base Spotting Guide

Ramstein Air Base Spotting Guide

May 14, 2019 - last modified on October 13, 2023

Ramstein Air Base (IATA: RMS/ICAO: ETAR) is located just west of Kaiserslautern in southern West-Germany. The air base was first used by the German Forces in WW2, but back then it was just a straight part of a highway, which was enough to handle fighters. In 1951, the French and American opened a base for fighters close to today’s airfield, which over the decades developed – in 1971, transport aircraft joined the air base and in 1994, the last based fighters left Ramstein. Since then, the airfield mostly serves as hub for USAF transport jets in Europe together with some other bases. Apart from this, RMS is also the home to Hercules’ and sometimes serves as temporary home for NASA missions and military exercises.

In between, Ramstein air base was closed down for a while, but was finally brought back to live in 2008 and most movements from Frankfurt Rhein-Main Airport were moved to this base here. Although the airfield doesn’t offer as many movements any more as it did back around 2010 (when the US were involved more in war movements in the middle east), measured at the soldiers stationed here, RMS is now the biggest American air base outside the USA. In addition, it can look to busier future since the USA announced a while ago to merge all traffic from Mildenhall and Ramstein at this air base in Germany in the upcoming years/decade…

Written by Severin Hackenberger and Jeremy Denton. Thanks to the help of Django Bruinink, Gerrit Griem, Henry Reichert, “Stephane GolfTraveller” and Theo Lansing. Last Change: May 2023 (Spot 1 updated)

Rating
Movements
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
08/26	3200 x 45m
09/27	3000 x 45m
Terminals
–	Obviously, this airport has no noteworthy terminal facilities as it is 100% military, so no public passenger terminals at all.
Spotting Information
Ladder	A ladder is needed at spot 3.2 from where you have to be above the fence. Also, please note that the same rules applies here as in the USA. You are not allowed to stand at the fence or put your camera through it. You have to be at 2 meters from the fences.
Car/Public Transport	No public transport around here at all, car needed for sure. But when using a car be aware of entrance/parking restrictions and essentially do not block any path.
Restrooms	Like small “food and shopping areas” south-east and south-west of the airfield where you’ll also find restrooms.
Drinks/Food	There are like small “food and shopping areas” south-east and south-west of the airfield where you’ll find food and drinks, but also in the surrounding cities/villages.
Hotels	There is a hotel just below the 08 approaching path: Hotel Atlantis. Cheap, but still good rooms, with parking and breakfast close to the airport. Just no airport view, base hidden behind some trees.
Season	The base is operational 24/7 so you can expect movements everyday. Training flights during weekend might not take place but for sure some cargo stops.
Security	This is an ACTIVE AMERICAN AIR BASE! So there are plenty rules one has to adjust to when spotting here: 1. Keep a low profile! Stow your camera as long as possible and don’t hang around/at the fence all the time! 2. While using a ladder please respect the 2 meters from the fence and adjust to the driving/parking restrictions when coming to Ramstein in order to also be inconspicuous. 3. Always carry an ID with you, for the case you are being checked. 4. Spotters can always be check at Ramstein – either by US military police from airside or the German police from landside. If they approach you, keep a low profile and just explain what you are doing. We never heard that a “normal spotter” had any problems here while being checked, so stay calm! 5. And the most important rule at Ramstein as at most military facilities: DON’T TAKE PICTURES OF THE AIRPORT/BASE! Luckily we were able to do our hobby around Ramstein till now, so take care that the spotters will still be allowed the airfield in the future, too. For your own safety and our community, follow the above stated rules!
Runway Usage
08/26	In usage 95% of the time, doesn’t matter from which direction. It is also a bit longer.
09/27	Barely used and if, then mostly during 09 arrivals and some C130s do depart 27 sometimes.

Railway - 26/27 arrivals + 08/09 departures

WHERE	In order to reach this spot by car, you have three options: a) Park east of the spot and south of the nearby highway exit 14 (“Kaiserslautern-Einsiedlerhof”) around the “food court” – an area hemmed by fast food shops and restaurants. Then start walking as marked on the map through the forrest along the Autobahn, but these 2,5 kms to the spot will take ~30 minutes. b) This is no official parking, but you can at least leave your car here legally somehow on the dirt by the roadside of L369 just west of a roundabout. Then walk as marked on the map, but the 1,75 kms to the spot will take you ~20 minutes.

WHAT	Arrivals on runway 26/27 as well as heavy 08/09 departures.

TIME	Spot useable in summer only: sunrise till morning and late afternoon till sunset.

MISC.	Be aware of the parking/entrance restrictions here. It is very important here to keep a low profile as you are just a few meters away from the fence and thereby the base!

FOCAL LENGTH	50-300mm

Arrival lights - 26/27 Arrivals

WHERE	In order to reach this spot by car, you have the three options for parking listed in spot #1 already. Anyway, this spot is then located directly under/along the arrival path just west of parking option c. There you can search your favourite position around here depending on your favourite angle and the sun position.

WHAT	This location offers some spectacular views as you can take some wide-angle shots from below or nice head ons during short final of aircraft approaching runway 26/27.

TIME	Late morning till sunset. Best just before sunset due to the sweet low light then.

MISC.	Nothing nearby. Be aware of the parking/entrance restrictions here.

FOCAL LENGTH	24-300mm C130 picture = 70mm

Flößbach - 26/27 arrivals and Line-Ups + Heavy 08/09 departures

WHERE	Here you have the same parking options as for spot #2 above. Wherever you park, go to the parking just east of spot #2 and then walk ~150m to the south, turn right then to walk ~600m parallel to the highway and then turn right again to walk another ~250m to the north-west to reach this spot. Why you are supposed to go around? In order to keep a low profile and don’t walk minutes along the fence easily see-able for everybody from inside! So approach this spot from the “back” out of the forest… This spot is not just one location itself neither! You also have two options here: Spot #3.1 – The meadow: A bit away from the fence in a clearing area surrounded by trees, bushes. No ladder needed but you can’t make any ground shots. Spot #3.2 – The fence: Keep on walking some steps north-west from spot #3.1 as this option is directly at the fence. Here you can be seen easily, but therefire you can also shoot Line-Ups and arrivals – a ladder is mandatory but keep the 2 meters distances from the fences.

WHAT	From here you can spot 26/27 arrivals and Line-Ups as well as heavy 08/09 departures.

TIME	All day in winter, in summer late morning till afternoon.

MISC.	Be aware of the parking/entrance restrictions here. Here are some old tree stumps around here form where you have a bit elevated view. Be aware of heat haze during summer days, big issue: Line-Ups are unuseable from late morning on then. Very important here to walk along the fence with at least 2 meters safety space in order to avoid more attention!

FOCAL LENGTH	#3.1 -> 70-300mm (B747 = 80mm / C17 = 110mm) #3.2 -> 50-300mm (B747 arrival = 65mm / C17 Line-Up = 230mm)

Spot #3.1 – The meadow:

Spot #3.2 – The fence:

Forest - 08 arrivals + 08/09 Line-Ups + heavy 26/27 departures

WHERE	Leave the highway at exit Nr. 13 “Ramstein-Miesenbach” and park at the nearby gas station/Autobahnmeisterei (see on the map). Then start walking north-east all the way down “Autobahnmeisterei Strasse”, till this turn right. Turn left there and after a few meters you will end up between fence and forest. Search your favourite spot there! Walking time are roughly 10-15 minutes from the gas station, which is 1km away. Actually, you can either stand away from the fence by the forestline or directly by the fence, from where you can also shoot into the Line-Up area.You can also come here by public transport, just take the train to Landstuhl train stationa and then either walk or take the bus 160 to Autobahn Meisterei and walk from there (both marked on the map).

WHAT	Spotable from here are 08 arrivals (09 is too far away) and heavy 26/27 departures. You can also shoot the 08/09 Line-Ups by using a ladder but keep 2 meters distances and be aware of heat haze during warm days.

TIME	All day in winter, in summer late morning till afternoon for arrivals – line ups from midday on.

MISC.	Nothing nearby; closest facilities is the food court a bit to the south-west. Keep a low profile as you easily see able and take care not to park illegally. 09 arrivals are too far and thereby mostly also hazy except in winter. Ladder needed for 08/09 Line-Up shots – you cannot shoot thru the fence due to a eye protection dirt wall airside, but they are hazy quickly, especially from April till October. Very important here to walk along the fence with at least 2 meters safety space in order to avoid more attention! Also DO NOT put up your ladder directly at the fence, keep a 2m safety distance!

FOCAL LENGTH	Arrival: B742 = 90mm / C130 = 140mm / GLF5 = 200mm Line-Up: C5 = 130mm

View from a 5 step ladder westwards:

View from the ground northeastwards:

Arrival lights - 08/09 arrivals

WHERE	Drive as you would approach the northern base from the west and at the last option to turn – a roundabout – turn right to the southeast. After a few meters you will see, this is a dead end road, where you can easily park. Leave your car there and start walking southwest for a couple of meters. Then you should have left the “forest” and find yourself back on a meadow/field. Go on for a while and search your favourite position between the arrival lights then depending on the light and angle… You can also come here by public transport, just take the train to Landstuhl train stationa and then either walk or take the bus 160 to Autobahn Meisterei and walk from there (both marked on the map).

WHAT	Arrivals on runway 08/09.

TIME	As you are between the runway axes here – the times vary here: 08 arrivals -> in the summer only: sunrise till morning and late afternoon till sunset. 09 arrivals -> all day in winter, in summer late morning till afternoon.

MISC.	Nothing nearby; closest facilities are the foodcourt a bit to the southwest and the village of Ramstein-Miesenbach to the northwest. Keep a low profile as you are on a blank field.

FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm – depending on your position and subject

Between the runways – view northwards:

Southwards:

Bridge - 08/09 Arrivals + 26/27 backtracks

WHERE	Drive as you would approach the northern base from the west and at the last option to turn – a roundabout – turn right to the southeast. After a few meters you will see, this is a dead end road, where you can easily park next to a barrier. Leave your car there and start walking southeast for a couple of meters, go around a white building and then you will reach a little bridge, where your view clears up between the trees. You can also come here by public transport, just take the train to Landstuhl train stationa and then either walk or take the bus 160 to Autobahn Meisterei and walk from there (both marked on the map).

WHAT	Arrivals on runway 08 and 09. With ladder you can also shoot 08 line-ups once they backtrack 09 and turn south.

TIME	Spot useable in summer only: sunrise till morning and late afternoon till sunset.

MISC.	Nothing nearby; closest facilities are the foodcourt a bit to the southwest and the village of Ramstein-Miesenbach to the northwest. Keep a low profile as you easily seeable, put ladder and camera down after every usage. Ladder needed for backtrack/line-up shots – you cannot shoot thru the fence due to a eye protection dirt wall airside. Passing the white facility is actually already forbidden as you thereby access kind of military area. You may be sent away/given a ticket then! Spot at your own risk here!

FOCAL LENGTH	150-400mm 08 Arrivals: B757 = 240mm

Bismarckturm - Airport view

WHERE	This spot is located west of the city of Landstuhl next to a football field, where you can park and then just walk to this tower called “Bismarckturm”, which is easy to see. Climb it and then you will have a nice overview from the top floor…

WHAT	This tower offers a nice overall view as you can see most parts of the airport. Also nicely visible are 26/27 departures nad 08/09 arrivals. In addition, the scenery and background from here is great!

TIME	All day in winter, in summer late morning till afternoon – also depending whther you wanna shoot runway 08/26 or 09/27.

MISC.	This spot is roughly 2.5km away from the movements! In summer, the light will be bad as long as the air is clean and once the light is good, you will face huge haze – so winter is the best time, but sometimes also hazy as well already. Because your view passes the autobahn with all its pollution and produced haze, you quickly have haze here. Nothing nearby, closest facilities are in the city of Landstuhl.

FOCAL LENGTH	>600mm – we recommend a converter to have 600mm or even 800mm

Thanks to Lars Hentschel for providing following example pictures from the spot, which looks like THIS itsself (parking also nicely seeable):

Herrengärtchen - Airport view

WHERE	A nice place as you have a great overview above the airport. This spot is especially recommended for number crunchers as they can easily see most parts of the base. It can be reached by car easily; therefore park in the nearby residential area called “Melkerei” and walk to this location called “Herrengärtchen”…

WHAT	This spot offers a nice overall view as you can see most parts of the airport. Also visible are 26/27 departures and 08/09 arrivals.

TIME	All day in winter, in summer late morning till afternoon – also depending whther you wanna shoot runway 08/26 or 09/27.

MISC.	This spot is roughly 2.5km away from the movements! In summer, the light will be bad as long as the air is clean and once the light is good, you will face huge haze – so winter is the best time, but sometimes also hazy as well already. Because your view passes the autobahn with all its pollution and produced haze, you quickly have haze here. Nothing nearby, closest facilities are in the city of Landstuhl. Keep a low profile as you are close to a residential area, where people may get suspicious.

FOCAL LENGTH	>800mm – we recommend a converter to have 800mm if you happen to not own such a big lense 😀

Thanks to Django Bruinink for providing these pictures:

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AeroBaden

9 days ago

But there are no Fighters, just Military Cargo. Right?

Mike

1 year ago

Unfortunately, parking in the approach area of runway 26 is no longer possible (as of May 10, 2023). The entire area was cordoned off with crash barriers and barriers. In addition, the police are now checking here more intensively.