October 20, 1997 (by Lieven Dewitte) -
The secretary of defense announced Oct. 21 that the Department of Defense will end its permanent presence at Torrejon Air Base, Spain.
The base is vacated, and the remaining facilities will be returned to the Spanish government between now and the end of 1997.
There are currently no U.S. military or civilian personnel left at the base. The 401st Tactical Fighter Wing (disbanded after Desert Storm) has flown the F-16 out of Torrejon AB for many years, tailcoded "TJ".
The wing was the first assignment for many F-16 pilots.
