Panavia Tornado IDS 45+94, Jagdbombergeschwader 31, Nörvenich
Jagdbombergeschwader (JaboG) 31 ‘Boelcke’ was the first fighter-bomber wing to convert to the Tornado
IDS, a process that started in 1979. Tornado IDS 45+94 (plane set 729, build number GS235 and c/n 4294)
was a Block 12 aircraft from Batch 6, delivered around 1988. It only served briefly with JaboG 31 before
going to JaboG 34 at Memmingen. The latter wing was tasked with both conventional attack and nuclear
strike, and was given the name ‘Allgäu’ in 1992. During 1996 nuclear weapons were removed from
Memmingen; around the same time 45+94 was transferred to JaboG 33 at Büchel. The wing became
the only Luftwaffe unit to retain the nuclear strike role, armed with the B61s stored at Büchel under US
custodianship, in addition to training for the air interdiction, offensive counter air and close air support
roles. The Tornado has remained with the wing ever since, with its camouflage replaced with the current
overall grey scheme at some point around 2014. On 1 October 2013 the unit was retitled Taktisches
Luftwaffengeschwader 33. It is expected to continue to