Emmen Air Base is one of the Swiss Air Force's most important airfields. It is home to various flying squadrons as well as the units required to operate and maintain a wide range of aircraft and systems. These include:

·       the Patrouille Suisse aerobatic team (home base since 1994)

·       the drone command, which uses the ADS 15 reconnaissance UAV system

·       the Air Force Pilot School Command, which uses the PC-21 and
        PC-7 trainer aircraft

·       jet flight squadrons during training and operational flights with
        F-5 TIGER and F/A-18 HORNET aircraft

·        a variety of other fixed wing aircraft and helicopters.

The Armed Forces Logistics Organisation (AFLO) provides the logistics services at Emmen Air Base, and the Command Support Organisation (CSO) assists in the operation of communications and command and control systems. Skyguide is responsible for air traffic control.

Taking turns with other air bases, Emmen Air Base serves as an alternate airfield for all Swiss Air Force aircraft.

When runways are closed at other air bases, Switzerland's 30 F/A-18 pilots use Emmen to train for air policing and  dogfights, and also carry out tactical training exercises for new air combat flight instructors. This is one of the interesting and challenging tasks that the personnel at Emmen carry out with their colleagues at all the other jet air bases.