The meadows in the area were used since 1913 for basic flying training. From 1919 until 1936 the airport was a permanent international airport until the commercial traffic was transferred to the newly built Stockholm-Bromma Airport with paved runways. From 1926 until 1938 the airfield was also used for evaluation of new aircraft for the Swedish Air Force. Units from other wings were also stationed here for air defense of the capital Stockholm. In 1936, the decision was made to set up a permanent fighter air wing. Three squadrons of J 8 were initially detached to the Västmanland Air Force Wing but moved to Barkarby on October 1, 1938. The aircraft were rather quickly replaced in 1940 by J 9. In 1945 after the end of the war, the squadrons were reequipped with J 22. Some of the aircraft were received from F 16 and F 9. A few J 21A-1 were also stationed here initially for trials and training. In 1949 the squadrons were gradually converted to jets with the introduction of J 28B Vampire. They were in turn replaced in 1952 with J 29 Tunnan. In 1957 the squadrons received the J 34 Hunter. They were kept until 1964 when the three squadrons were disbanded and the aircraft were transferred to other wings. The name was changed to Kungliga Svea Flygkår. In 1961 a decision was made to base the new high-altitude Rb 68 Bloodhound surface-to-air missile at F 8 and replace the fighters. F 8 Barkarby became the technical centre in Sweden for training officers and conscripts for using the new missiles. F 8 remained an active military base until the decommissioning in 1974 when it was opened for general aviation. The airfield is known today as Barkarby Airport and was used until 2010 for general aviation for hobby flyers and enthusiasts with small planes. The area around F8 has been heavily developed in the beginning of the 21st century, with a big Outlet shoppingcenter, Ikea store and numerous other stores. In 2010 the airfield was closed down permanently. The municipality is now building office and living areas on the former airfield and surroundings.
Barracks and training areas
The Hägerstalund Airfield at Barkarby, 20 km northwest of Stockholm, was built in 1918 by the Aviation Company and was used from 1926 by the Stabens flygavdelning. New construction for the wing took place from 1937 to 1944. The wing had an underground hangar and the runway, which was in an east-west direction, was 2000 m long.
Heraldry and traditions
Coat of arms
Colours, standards and guidons
A colour was presented to the wing on 6 June 1939 at Barkarby by His Majesty the KingGustaf V. The colour was deposited on 1 July 1974 at Air Defence Sector O5 for around 1990 being submitted to the Swedish Army Museum. In 1999, it was has been perserved at F 8's old officers' mess. Swedish Army Museum. Blazon: "On blue cloth in the centre the badge of the Air Force; a winged two-bladed propeller under a royal crown proper. In the first corner the crowned head of Saint Eric couped, all or".
Commanding officers
Commanding officers from 1938 to 1974. The commanding officers was referred to as flottiljchef and had the rank of colonel. From 1963 to 1974, the commander was referred to as kårchef and had the rank of colonel.
