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49-478: Leeuwarden Air Base is also one of the three military airbases (together with Gilze-Rijen Air Base and Volkel Air Base ) that organise the twice-in-three-years Luchtmachtdagen ('Air Force Days') of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, consisting of air shows and static exhibits. In 2006, 2008, 2011 and 2016 Leeuwarden Air Base hosted these public demonstration days. The airport of Leeuwarden

98-671: A Farman aircraft used the field for military exercises which established it as a military airfield. In 1940, the airfield came under heavy attack from the German Luftwaffe , who later took control of the base and expanded it for their own use. While in German hands during the Second World War , the field came under frequent attack from allied forces until the liberation of the south of the Netherlands, after which

147-524: A Ground Station will be fully air-deployable and self-supporting for global operations will be based at Leeuwarden from 2020. Future use by public services related to homeland security and surveillance (including the National Police; and customs, naval and environmental surveillance) is also planned. Units based at Leeuwarden. Gilze-Rijen Air Base Gilze-Rijen Air Base ( Dutch : Vliegbasis Gilze-Rijen , IATA : GLZ , ICAO : EHGR )

196-582: A Royal Netherlands Air Force (Michael "Sofac" Donkervoort) pilot was killed when his plane crashed during a mission to support British ground troops in Helmand province. On 7 December 2007 military use of Twente Air Base ceased. The aerodrome is now known as Enschede Airport Twente . Flying officially ended at Soesterberg Air Base on 12 November 2008. The last jet ever to take off was a Hellenic AF F-4E. The base closed on 31 December 2008. The 298th and 300th squadron moved to Gilze-Rijen Air Base . A part of

245-622: A detachment known as the 1st Netherlands-Norwegian European Participating Forces Expeditionary Air Wing (1 NLD/NOR EEAW). This was a follow-up of the participation with the Belgian Air Component . As part of the expanded NATO ISAF mission in southern Afghanistan in August 2006, the Royal Netherlands Air Force had three CH-47D Chinook of 298 Sq stationed at Kandahar Airfield . On 12 November 2006 eight F-16s transferred from Kabul International Airport to Kandahar Airfield, Additionally,

294-667: A detachment of six (later four) AH-64D Apache helicopters had been stationed of Tarin Kowt , Uruzgan province. The CH-47D Chinooks of 298 sq rotated with Cougars from 300 sq. All helicopters together with a few F-16s returned to the Netherlands in November 2010. The other four F-16s transferred from Kandahar Airfield to Mazar-e-Sharif International Airport in November 2011. The F-16 flight, providing Close Air Support for ground forces and Recce Flights (specialised in counter-IEDs), ended their mission officially on 1 July 2014. On 31 August 2006

343-465: A larger combat radius. In August 1962 Indonesia was ready to attack New Guinea. Despite reinforcements the Dutch defences would be insufficient to withstand the coming attack. Therefore, and because of international political pressure the Dutch government was forced to agree to the peaceful surrender of New Guinea. Dutch forces were withdrawn from the territory. The establishment of 336 transport squadron

392-609: A part of a large-scale reorganisation within the Royal Netherlands Air Force, the fighter aircraft were moved from Gilze-Rijen, and the base became the home of Bölkow Bo-105 helicopters instead. In 1998, AH-64 Apache attack helicopters followed, while the Bo-105 helicopters were slowly being phased out. In 2009, helicopter operations from Soesterberg Air Base were moved to Gilze-Rijen Air Base, which resulted in CH-47 Chinook and AS 532U2 Cougar Mk 2 helicopters being based at

441-536: Is a military airbase in the south of Netherlands . It is known for having the hottest temperature ever measured in the Netherlands , with a temperature of 40.7 °C, on July 25, 2019. It is between the cities of Breda and Tilburg , which are both in North Brabant . The airport is mainly, but not exclusively, used as a base for Royal Netherlands Air Force helicopters. The airfield has two runways,

490-695: Is about 7.5% of the total 37,000 sorties flown. On 2 October 2002 a tri-national detachment of 18 Dutch, Danish and Norwegian F-16 ground attack aircraft and one Dutch KDC-10 tanker deployed to Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan in support of ground forces in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom . The KDC-10 returned to the Netherlands on 1 April 2003, and the Dutch F-16 detachment on 1 October 2003. The RNLAF returned to Manas AB on 8 September 2004 with five F-16 and one KDC-10 in support of

539-741: Is closely connected to New Guinea. Soon after activation this unit was deployed to New Guinea to take over air transport from the Dutch Navy. 336 Sqn deployed and took over three Navy Dakotas and three US supplied aircraft. 336 Sqn operated from Mokmer airstrip and transported more than 5,400 passengers between September 1961 and September 1962. During the Cold War Dutch Air Force flying units were integrated in NATO 's Second Allied Tactical Air Force tasked with defending northern West Germany against Warsaw Pact forces. Additionally,

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588-824: Is the military aviation branch of the Netherlands Armed Forces . It was created in 1953 to succeed its predecessor, the Luchtvaartafdeling (English: aviation department ) of the Dutch Army, which was founded in 1913. The aerobatic display team of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, active from 1979 until 2019, was the Solo Display Team . The Royal Netherlands Air Force was preceded by the Army Aviation Group ( Luchtvaartafdeling , abbreviation LVA), founded in 1913. It

637-516: The 32nd Tactical Fighter Squadron of the U.S. Air Force . Normally stationed at Soesterberg airbase , they needed to move temporarily in order to allow repairs to the runway. Two F-16 squadrons were based at Leeuwarden Air Base: the "swing-role" 322 Squadron RNLAF and the Tactical Training Evaluation and Standardisation (TACTES) 323 Squadron RNLAF . 323 Squadron stood down as an F-16 Squadron on 31 October 2014 (passing

686-655: The Fokker F27 Friendship was in use. In 1971, the training activity was suspended again when a fighter squadron was moved to the airfield, which also included a significant upgrade of airport facilities. Initially the Northrop NF-5A/B , and later its replacement, the General Dynamics F-16A/B Fighting Falcon , were operated from the base up until 1995. It has 30 Hardened Aircraft Shelters (HAS). In 1995, as

735-718: The Netherlands East Indies (NEI), until its occupation by Japan in 1942. Some personnel escaped to Australia and Ceylon . 321 Squadron was re-formed in Ceylon, in March 1942, from Dutch aviators. In 1942, 18 (NEI) Squadron , a joint Dutch-Australian unit was established, in Canberra , equipped with B-25 Mitchell bombers. It saw action in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA), which included

784-595: The Royal Air Force took control of the airfield. In 1946, the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) resumed operations from the airfield, using it as a training base for pilots and air traffic controllers . In 1962, training activity was suspended, and Gilze-Rijen was reduced to a reserve base for bomber aircraft . Training activity was resumed in 1967, mainly using Fokker S-11s and Piper Cubs. For paratrooper training and group droppings

833-747: The Supermarine Spitfire , saw action as part of the RAF. 322 Sqn aircraft featured the British RAF roundels as well as the Dutch orange triangle. 322 Sqn was successfully deployed against incoming V-1 flying bombs. From mid-1944, during the invasion of Normandy , it executed ground attack missions over France and Belgium. In July 1944, the Directorate of Netherlands Airpower was established in London. In 1947, its Chief of Air Force Staff

882-400: The 16th and 17 September 1944, the airbase was heavily bombed by the Royal Air Force . After the liberation of the Netherlands the airbase was repaired, and during the first post-war years it was used as a civil airport, and KLM ran a commercial line to Schiphol. In 1949, Leeuwarden became a dedicated military airbase. During the 1970s Vliegbasis Leeuwarden was used as a temporary home of

931-507: The Army Aviation Group operated one aircraft, the Brik , which was supplemented with three French Farman HF.20 aircraft a few months later. These aircraft were soon outdated, and the Dutch government ordered several fighter/reconnaissance Nieuport and Caudron aircraft to replace them. The Netherlands maintained a neutral position during World War I and the Army Aviation Group did not take part in any action. Instead, they focused on developing

980-660: The Dutch Air Force manned five fully operational self-supporting Missile Groups in West Germany (1 and 2 MslGrp were initially equipped with NIKE batteries, while 3,4 and 5 MslGrp were equipped with Hawk ) and replaced by the MIM-104 Patriot Air Defence Missile System: The Dutch Air Force played a key role in ending the 1977 Dutch train hostage crisis when six F-104G Starfighters flew low over

1029-554: The Dutch Air Force this meant the establishment of an Air Defense Command for New Guinea ( Commando Luchtverdediging Nederlands Nieuw-Guinea - CLV NNG ) consisting of: The Dutch government deployed a squadron consisting of 12 Hawker Hunter Mk.4 AD fighters and two Alouette II SAR helicopters. They were transported to Southeast Asia by the Karel Doorman . One year later the Dutch government deployed another 12 Hawker Hunter Mk6 AD fighters; these aircraft carried more fuel and had

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1078-675: The Dutch Army Aviation Brigade was defeated by the Luftwaffe . All of the Brigade's bombers, along with 30 D.XXI and 17 G.I fighters were shot down; two D.XXI and eight G.I were destroyed on the ground. Two G.I were captured by German forces, one of which was later flown to England by a Fokker pilot. The Douglas bombers were used as fighters because no suitable bombs were available; these aircraft were poorly suited for this role and eight were shot down and three destroyed on

1127-657: The Dutch East Indies. In 1943, 120 (NEI) Squadron was established. Equipped with Kittyhawk fighters, it flew many missions under Australian command, including the recapturing of Dutch New Guinea . In 1944, transport aircraft operated by the KNIL in the SWPA were integrated into another joint unit, 19 (NEI) Squadron . In June 1943, a Dutch fighter squadron was established in England. 322 (Dutch) Squadron , equipped with

1176-524: The Dutch armed forces, rather than part of the Army. The Air Defense Command, ( Commando Lucht Verdediging , abbreviated CLV ) consisting of a command unit, five radar stations and six fighter squadrons, had been established. Its radar equipment as well as its air defense fighters all came from obsolete RAF stocks. After the Netherlands joined NATO another new command: Tactical Air Command ( Commando Tactische Luchtstrijdkrachten , abbreviated ""CTL )

1225-748: The Navy Air Service, Army Aviation aircrew also served with 320 Sqn until the end of the war. In 1941, the Royal Netherlands Military Flying School was re-established, in the United States at Jackson Field (also known as Hawkins Field), Jackson, Mississippi , operating lend-lease aircraft and training all military aircrew for the Netherlands. The separate Militaire Luchtvaart van het Koninklijk Nederlands-Indisch Leger (ML-KNIL; Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Military Air Service) continued in

1274-608: The TACTES task to 322 Squadron on the same day) before being reinstated as the F-35A Test Squadron on 5 November 2014 at Eglin Air Force Base . In addition, Leeuwarden Air Base was the home base of 303 Squadron RNLAF (Search and Rescue), part of the newly formed Defence Helicopter Command (DHC). It employed three Agusta Bell AB 412SP helicopters before its stand-down on 1 January 2015. Leeuwarden Air Base

1323-456: The air defense of the island Biak as there was evidence that Indonesia was infiltrating the island in advance of a military operation. The first Air Force contribution was the installation of two MkIV early warning radars on Biak and Woendi islands. The political situation between the Netherlands and Indonesia continued to deteriorate and in 1960 the Dutch government deployed reinforcements. The operations were known by name as Plan Fidelio. For

1372-869: The airfield as well as the Alouette III for VIP transport, making Gilze-Rijen the main operating base for military helicopters in the Netherlands. The Stichting Koninklijke Luchtmacht Historische Vlucht (Royal Air Force Historic Flight Foundation) is also located at Gilze-Rijen air base, owning and operating a collection of mainly historic military aircraft. The current fleet consists of the following aircraft: Units based at Gilze-Rijen Air Base. Defence Helicopter Command Centre for Man in Aviation Royal Netherlands Air Force The Royal Netherlands Air Force ( RNLAF ; Dutch : Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu) , "Royal Air Force")

1421-486: The base remains in use as a glider field. The former USAFE side will be in use by ground units relocated from Kamp van Zeist and will be called "Camp New Amsterdam". The AF museum (Royal Netherlands Military Aviation Museum) returned to the base and will use most of the existing hangars. In 2013 the Royal Netherlands Air Force provided Strategic Airlift Support with a KDC-10 in support of French operations in Mali. The RNLAF

1470-531: The complexity of the rebuilding task. As war loomed, in July 1939 the Army Aviation Group was renamed the Army Aviation Brigade ( Luchtvaartbrigade ). In August 1939, the Netherlands government mobilised its armed forces, but due to limited budgets the Army Aviation Brigade operated only 176 combat aircraft of the following types: In May 1940, Germany invaded the Netherlands . Within five days

1519-500: The end of World War I the Dutch government cut the defence budget and the Army Aviation Group was almost dissolved. As political tensions in Europe increased during the late 1930s the government tried to rebuild the armed forces again in 1938 but there were many problems, not least the shortage of pilot instructors, navigators and pilots to fly the new multiple engine aircraft. Lack of standardisation and resulting maintenance issues added to

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1568-403: The force's capabilities. Pilot training was opened and established for ranks including officers in technical, aerial photography, meteorological and navigation flights. New airfields were built at Arnhem, Gilze-Rijen air base , Venlo and Vlissingen. Because of the war, it was difficult to procure suitable aircraft. In 1917, the situation changed and their personnel increased to 650. After

1617-476: The ground in the first hours of the conflict. In spite of their numerical superiority the Luftwaffe lost 350 aircraft in the conquest of the Netherlands, many to anti-aircraft fire and crashes at improvised landing fields in the Netherlands rather than due to action by Dutch fighter aircraft. The cost was high – almost 95% of the Dutch pilots were lost. In recognition of their actions Queen Wilhelmina granted

1666-525: The highest Dutch military decoration, the Militaire Willemsorde (MWO), to the Army Aviation Brigade collectively. Some aircrews escaped to England and on 1 June 1940, 320 Squadron and 321 Squadron were established there under RAF operational command. Due to a shortage of personnel, 321 Squadron was absorbed by 320 Sqn in January 1941. Although their personnel were predominantly from

1715-478: The longest one is complete with an instrument landing system (ILS) and is 2,779 metres (9,117 ft) long by 45 m (148 ft) wide in the 10/28 direction. The shorter runway (without ILS) is 1,996 m (6,549 ft) by 30 m (98 ft) in the 02/20 direction. Gilze-Rijen Air Base is the oldest airfield in the Netherlands, the first aircraft to have landed there being a Blériot in 1910. The first military aircraft activity dates back to 1913, when

1764-529: The north of Italy, later moving south to Amendola AB. During the operations over FRY RNLAF F-16s flew reconnaissance (306 Sqn detachments from Volkel AB were in theatre throughout the operations), enforced the Bosnian no-fly zone, dropped bombs on Udbina AB (1994), successfully dropped an unguided bomb on a moving Serb tank during the fall of Srebrenica (1995), and took part in Deliberate Force later in

1813-486: The presidential elections of Afghanistan. This time the aircraft flew under the NATO ISAF flag. On 24 March 2005 the Dutch detachment transferred from Manas AB to Kabul International Airport . A detachment of six AH-64D Apache helicopters were already stationed at Kabul International Airport from April 2004 until March 2005. In February 2006 four Dutch F-16s were joined by four Royal Norwegian Air Force F-16s in

1862-816: The squadron reformed in the US as the RNLAF's first Joint Strike Fighter unit. 303 Squadron ( Agusta Bell AB 412SP ) provided search and rescue within Dutch Flight Information Region ) until 1 January 2015 when the unit was disbanded. In 2015 Airbus A330 MRTT were ordered to replace two Dutch KDC-10 Tanker / Transport aircraft. The Netherlands is the lead nation in NATO initiative to replace and pool existing Tanker / Transport, including Luxembourg, Belgium (1), Germany (4), Norway (1) within EATC, in 2014 it

1911-489: The summer of 1995. Between 1994 and 1997 Dutch GCI personnel, along with Canadian GCI controllers, provided many hundreds of hours of fighter control and surveillance as integrated members of USAF/ANG Air Control Squadrons. In May 1999 during the Kosovo crisis a RNLAF F-16AM pilot Major Peter Tankink shot down a Yugoslavian MiG-29 with an AMRAAM , but the force was more recognized for its high bombing accuracy. Allied Force

1960-779: The train to distract the hijackers while Dutch anti-terrorist forces stormed the train. In 1992 Ypenburg Air Base closed. After the USAF handed over their section of Soesterberg in September 1994, Soesterberg then became a RNLAF transport helicopter base with 298 Squadron ( CH-47D Chinook ) and 300 Squadron ( AS 532U2 Cougar Mk2 and SA 316 Alouette III ) stationed at the base. RNLAF F-16s participated in all operations over Yugoslavia from 1993: Deny Flight , including Deliberate Force in 1995 and ending with Operation Allied Force in 1999 from two bases in Italy. Initially from Villafranca AB in

2009-556: Was also the operational debut for the upgraded F-16AM. Besides the CAP missions, offensive bombing and photo reconnaissance missions were flown. KDC-10 tankers refuelled allied aircraft over the Adriatic Sea, and C-130 Hercules transports flew daily sorties from Eindhoven AB to logistically support the operation. Dutch F-16s also dropped cluster bombs on Niš . In total, RNLAF aircraft flew 1,194 sorties during operation Allied Force, which

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2058-697: Was announced that the Airbus A330 MRTT has been selected and two are ordered for the Royal Netherlands Air Force with options to eight aircraft based in adjoining countries. In 2017 the Belgian Air Component, German Air Force and Royal Norwegian Air Force confirmed orders by joining the MMF program to a total of 9 aircraft of which 5 will be based at Eindhoven Airbase and 4 at Cologne Air Base. They will carry Royal Netherlands Air Force roundels and be registered as Dutch aircraft. In November 2019 it

2107-679: Was announced that the Dutch KDC-10 tankers were sold to Omega Aerial Refueling Services . The last Dutch KDC-10 was taken out of service in October 2021. As per 2017 the Air Defence - Quick Reaction Force of two F-16 fighters are integrated for Belgian, Dutch and Luxembourg airspace and rotated between Dutch and Belgian ADF squadrons. In 2021 a Brik-II satellite was launched to provide the Royal Netherlands Air Force with intelligence regarding navigation, communication and observation of

2156-568: Was appointed. During the Indonesian War of Independence , the air force committed ground attacks and transported material and personnel. In 1948, transportation aircraft were used in support of the first Dutch airborne raid in southern Sumatra and Djokjakarta . In 1951 several non-combat functions in the Army Aviation were opened to women. On 27 March 1953 the Royal Netherlands Air Force officially became an independent part of

2205-661: Was built in 1938, and was used as an airport between Schiphol and Eelde . The airport was used only infrequently at first, but that changed after the Germans invaded the Low Countries in 1940 . The Luftwaffe used the airport as a base for their fighter aircraft (including the Messerschmitt Bf 109 ) and bombers . From the airbase the Germans could reach Great Britain . During World War II , and especially on

2254-531: Was established. The Indonesian government claimed Western New Guinea following the end of the Second World War. The Dutch government considered the area Dutch territory. Negotiations over the country were conducted for years, but tensions grew until Indonesia broke diplomatic relations with the Netherlands at the end of the 1950s. In response, in 1958, the Netherlands deployed military reinforcements to New Guinea, including an Air Force detachment for

2303-583: Was hit hard by the Dutch defence cuts after the 2008 financial crisis. 311 Squadron was disbanded in September 2012, leaving four squadrons of F-16s, and one DC-10 transport aircraft was disposed of. In October 2014 the Netherlands Air Force joined the US and its Allies fighting ISIL, deploying eight F-16s (of which two are in reserve) to Jordan. On 31 October 2014 323 Tactess squadron (F-16) disbanded and its aircraft and personnel were merged into 322 Squadron. The following Wednesday (5 November)

2352-744: Was one of two Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16AM Fighting Falcon bases, which are being replaced by F-35A Lightning II , the first of which arrived at Leeuwarden on 31 October 2019. The base is the location of the Fighter Weapons Instructor Training (FWIT) and the annual multinational NATO exercise " Frisian Flag ". On 31 March 2015 six F-15C's from the 125th Fighter Wing of the Florida Air National Guard landed at Leeuwarden Air Base to take part in Frisian Flag 2015. Four MQ-9 Reapers with

2401-413: Was renamed as Army Aviation Brigade ( Luchtvaartbrigade ) in 1939. In 1953, it was raised to the level of independent operational part of the Dutch Armed Forces and renamed as Royal Netherlands Air Force ( Koninklijke Luchtmacht ). Dutch air power started on 1 July 1913, with the founding of the Army Aviation Group at Soesterberg airfield ( vliegbasis Soesterberg ) having four pilots. When founded,

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