On May 10, 1940, in preparation for the big French offensive, already 14 planes that reported to the 3rd Army Division (9 Potez 63.11 and 5 Mureaux 117) were waiting for Captain de la Baume's orders to take off. It was then that the Base gained legendary status.

In 1952, NATO began developing plans to return Chambley's runway to standard working order. On February 3, 1953, the runway, the taxiways and the hangars were completed. In December of 1953, the future American "boss" of Chambley leaves George AFB (California) headed for Chambley to inspect the location. During the first few days of January 1954, the 21st FBW with its 78 Saber aircraft lands after a 12,782 kilometre voyage. Two thousand tons of materiel (including 354 trucks) are dispatched to the site (five million dollars) with a veritable autonomous army. Families set up house as well as pilots, cooks, doctors and plumbers. The airlift goes through Clovis, New Mexico. The major part of the troops arrive in France by boat, and then goes on to Chambley.

In 1955, when faced with an imminent threat, the F86F's are equipped with nuclear strike capability.

American Major General Michael Collins (at the time Second Commander of the 72nd Fighter Bomber Squadron), one of the three American astronauts on the Apollo XI mission, gets married in the Base Chapel.

As the years go by, the base does not close, but it does lose its operational capacity, henceforth being used only as a transit location.

During 1966-1967, NATO returns the base to France. On August 6, 1971, the site losses its airfield classification. It will regain that classification on November 30, 1982, with its registration on the second list of military airfields.

Since the beginning of the 1980's, microlight aircraft have besieged the site, joined in 1991 by hot air balloons, then model aircraft makers, PUL, and other flying craft such as airplanes. And, on odd years since 1993, the Base is the theatre for LORRAINE MONDIAL AIR BALLONS.