With the German invasion starting on 9 April 1940, the Luftwaffe had initially intended to use Værnes Air Station as its main stronghold for operating aircraft of the 10th Air Corps in Trøndelag. Contrary to their intelligence statements, Værnes was in a dilapidated state, lacking such amenities as a paved runway. The Luftwaffe therefore looked around for other suitable sites to allow them to continue battle in the Norwegian Campaign. All supplies would need to be flown in to Trøndelag until 13 April, and it was therefore imperative for the Wehrmacht that an air base be established in the region.