the united states air force 424th air base squadron (abs) is the operational unit at chièvres air base. it is supported by the 86th operations group at ramstein air base, germany. it functions as the senior airfield authority for the airfield on behalf of the us. the airfield is considered part of shape as nato provides the us funding to maintain and operate the airfield. even though the u.s. air force's 424th abs squadron operates the airfield and runways, overall airfield maintenance operations and the base operations are entrusted to the usag benelux, a u.s. army unit. this makes chievres air base the only actual "base" in the army since army installations are usually referred to as "posts" or "airfields".