Lufttransport Staffel 2
Lufttransport Staffel 2 was a Swiss Air Force transport squadron that operated light aircraft and helicopters from 1965 until its dissolution in 2000.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Lufttransport Staffel 2, commonly abbreviated LT St 2, was a transport formation of the Swiss Air Force. It belonged to the Überwachungsgeschwader and served as one of the Swiss military's light-aircraft and helicopter squadrons. Although the supplied subject is presented in brand-encyclopedia form, LT St 2 was not a commercial brand: it was a military aviation unit whose identity was expressed through its squadron designation, aircraft markings, home bases, and heraldic badge. The squadron was established in 1965 as Light Aircraft Squadron 2, at the same time as three other transport squadrons. Its initial assignment was to Feldarmeekorps 2. The original fleet consisted of nine Alouette II helicopters and four Piper Super Cub aircraft. The combination reflected the unit's light transport and observation role, using rotary-wing aircraft for mobility and support while retaining fixed-wing aircraft for lighter aviation duties. Its first recorded home base was Triengen airfield. From 1970, the squadron operated from Reichenbach. The Piper Super Cubs were withdrawn by 1973. Between 1972 and 1974, Alouette III helicopters were introduced, gradually expanding the squadron's helicopter capability and becoming an important part of its later identity. The Alouette II remained in service with the unit until 1992, when it was retired from the squadron's inventory. The unit's history also includes a serious operational accident. On 21 October 1982, an Alouette III identified as V-211 struck the Rossfall cable with its nose wheel in the area between Urnäsch and the Schwägalp Pass. The pilot and five soldiers of Fus Kp I/70 were killed. This was a tragic event in the squadron's operational history and is one of the principal documented incidents associated with LT St 2. Swiss military reorganization in the 1990s changed the unit's formal designation. Under Armeereform 95, the former Light Aircraft Squadron 2 was renamed Lufttransport Staffel 2 in 1995. The squadron was subsequently based at Alpnach, a major Swiss military aviation location. Its final equipment was centered on the Alouette III helicopter. Lufttransport Staffel 2 was dissolved at Buochs Airport on 30 June 2000. The farewell aircraft was Alouette III V-203, which received a special silver finish, the squadron coat of arms, and the inscription "finito addio" on both sides. Major Markus Just, identified in the available reference material as the last commander, presented the aircraft to the public during the farewell. The dissolution marked the end of LT St 2 as an operational Swiss Air Force squadron rather than the continuation of a consumer-facing brand. The squadron's emblem was a circular badge with a blue field and a grey-white outer border. Its central motif was a top-view grey, wavy dragonfly, with a grey-white number 2 in the background. The badge and the specially painted farewell aircraft served as visual symbols of unit identity. No independent commercial ownership, sales activity, public-company listing, or consumer product portfolio is documented for the subject.
History
Lufttransport Staffel 2 originated in the 1965 reorganization and expansion of Swiss military light aviation. It was created as Light Aircraft Squadron 2 together with three other transport squadrons and was initially assigned exclusively to Feldarmeekorps 2. The founding fleet comprised nine Alouette II helicopters and four Piper Super Cubs. Triengen airfield served as the initial home base. The unit moved its operating base to Reichenbach in 1970. Its aircraft mix changed during the following decade: the Piper Super Cub was removed from service by 1973, while Alouette III helicopters were introduced progressively between 1972 and 1974. These additions strengthened the squadron's rotary-wing capability and shaped its later role as a light transport formation. The earlier Alouette II helicopters remained part of the unit until their retirement in 1992. A major tragedy occurred on 21 October 1982. Alouette III V-211 contacted the Rossfall cable with its nose wheel in the region between Urnäsch and the Schwägalp Pass. The accident killed the pilot and five soldiers belonging to Fus Kp I/70. The event is a central documented episode in the squadron's operational history. Swiss military restructuring during the 1990s affected the squadron's formal identity. In connection with Armeereform 95, Light Aircraft Squadron 2 was renamed Lufttransport Staffel 2 in 1995. The unit later operated from Alpnach Air Base and was most recently equipped with Alouette III helicopters. Its identity was represented by a round blue badge with a grey-white border, a grey wavy dragonfly seen from above, and the number 2. The squadron was dissolved at Buochs Airport on 30 June 2000. For the farewell, Alouette III V-203 was painted silver and marked with the LT St 2 coat of arms. The aircraft also carried the blue words "finito addio" on both sides. Major Markus Just, described in the available material as the unit's final commander, presented the aircraft to spectators. With that ceremony, Lufttransport Staffel 2 ended as an active Swiss Air Force formation. The available references document the squadron's organization, bases, aircraft, emblem, accident, renaming, and dissolution, but do not establish a commercial brand operation, independent corporate structure, revenue, or continuing successor brand.
- 2000
Dissolution at Buochs
[1]The squadron was dissolved at Buochs Airport on 30 June 2000.
- 1995
Renamed Lufttransport Staffel 2
[1]Armeereform 95 changed the unit's designation from Light Aircraft Squadron 2 to Lufttransport Staffel 2.
- 1992
Alouette II retirement
[1]The Alouette II was withdrawn from Lufttransport Staffel 2 service.
- 1982
Fatal Alouette III accident
[1]Alouette III V-211 struck a cable near the Rossfall area, killing the pilot and five soldiers.
- 1973
Piper Super Cub withdrawn
[1]The Piper Super Cub aircraft were removed from squadron service by 1973.
- 1972
Introduction of the Alouette III
[1]Alouette III helicopters began entering the unit's inventory during the 1972–1974 period.
- 1970
Move to Reichenbach
[1]The squadron began operating from Reichenbach.
- 1965
Formation as Light Aircraft Squadron 2
[1]The unit was founded as Light Aircraft Squadron 2 during the creation of several Swiss transport squadrons and was assigned to Feldarmeekorps 2.
Products and positioning
A Swiss military light-transport and aviation-support squadron rather than a commercial logistics or consumer brand.
Light utility helicopter
Alouette II
Nine Alouette II helicopters formed part of the squadron's original 1965 inventory. The type remained in use with Lufttransport Staffel 2 until it was retired from the unit in 1992.
Light fixed-wing aircraft
Piper Super Cub
Four Piper Super Cub aircraft were included in the squadron's initial fleet. They supported the unit's light-aircraft role and were withdrawn from service by 1973.
Light utility helicopter · 1972
Alouette III
Alouette III helicopters entered the squadron progressively between 1972 and 1974 and became its principal later aircraft. Lufttransport Staffel 2 was most recently equipped with the type. The documented fleet included V-211, involved in the 1982 accident, and V-203, used for the 2000 farewell.
Brand decisions
2000
Dissolution of the squadronStrategyBackground
As part of Swiss military organizational changes, Lufttransport Staffel 2 reached the end of its operational existence.
Action taken
The squadron was formally dissolved at Buochs Airport on 30 June 2000.
Aftermath
Alouette III V-203 was presented in a special silver farewell livery bearing the unit emblem and the words "finito addio".
1995
Designation change under Armeereform 95StrategyBackground
Swiss military restructuring in 1995 affected the formal organization and naming of the light aviation squadron.
Action taken
The formation was renamed from Light Aircraft Squadron 2 to Lufttransport Staffel 2.
Aftermath
The unit continued as LT St 2 until its dissolution in 2000.
Sources1 sources
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