Royal Netherlands Air Force - Definition and Overview

The Royal Netherlands Air Force is the aviation branch of the Netherlands defence forces. It was founded on July 1, 1913 and originally consisted of just 4 pilots.

Current Equipment

The aircraft deployed include:

Fighters

• F-16

Transport/refuelling

• C-130 Hercules
• KDC-10 Aerial refueling/strategic transports
• Fokker F50
• Fokker F60
• Gulfstream IV

Attack helicopters

• AH-64 Apache

Transport helicopters

• CH-47 Chinook
• Augusta Bell AB 412
• Aérospatiale Alouette III
• Eurocopter Cougar

Trainers

• Pilatus PC-7

The Dutch airforce is also responsible for the deployment of the Ground Based Air Defense systems, including:

• MIM-104 Patriot
• MIM-23 Hawk, which are all gradually being replaced with Patriots
• FIM-92 Stinger

Airbases and Squadrons

Large Main Operating Bases (MOB's)

• Airbase Leeuwarden
  • 322nd Sqn. F-16 Reaction Force Squadron
  • 323rd Sqn. F-16 Tactes Squadron
  • 303rd Sqn. Augusta Bell AB 412 Search and Rescue Helicopter Squadron
  • 630th Sqn. Operational Ground Squadron
  • 920th Sqn. Maintenance Support Squadron
  • 921st Sqn. Logistic Support Squadron
  • 922nd Sqn. Miscellaneous Support Squadron
• Airbase Volkel
  • 311th Sqn. F-16 Squadron
  • 312th Sqn. F-16 Squadron
  • 306th Sqn. F-16 Training Squadron
  • 900th Sqn. F-16 Maintenance Support Squadron
  • 901st Sqn. Transport and Storage Support Squadron
  • 902nd Sqn. Miscellaneous Support Squadron
  • 640th Sqn. Airbase Security Support Squadron
  • 601st Sqn. Reserves Support Squadron
• Airbase Twenthe
  • 313th Sqn. F-16 Squadron
  • 315th Sqn. F-16 Squadron
  • 620th Sqn. Security Squadron
  • 910th Sqn. F-16 Maintenance Support Squadron
  • 911th Sqn. Transport and Storage Support Squadron
  • 913th Sqn. Miscellaneous Support Squadron

Smaller airbases

• Airbase Eindhoven
  • 334th Sqn. C-130 Hercules and Fokker F60 Transport Squadron
  • 940th Sqn. Maintenance Support Squadron
  • 941st Sqn. Miscellaneous Support Squadron
• Airbase Woensdrecht
  • Royal Military Airforce School
  • Logistics Center
  • Weather-forecast Center

Tactical Helicopter Groups (THG) and Airbases

• THG Soesterberg
  • 298th Sqn. CH-47 Chinook Squadron
  • 300th Sqn. Eurocopter Cougar and Aérospatiale Alouette III Squadron
  • 932nd Sqn. Maintenance and Logistic Support Squadron
  • 933rd Sqn. Miscellaneous Support Squadron
  • 934th Sqn. Facility Management Support Squadron
• THG Gilze-Rijen
  • 301st Sqn. AH-64 Apache Squadron
  • 302nd Sqn. AH-64 Apache Squadron
  • 930th Sqn. Communication and Information Support Squadron
  • 931st Sqn. Miscellaneous Support Squadron

Guided Weapons base

• Guided Weapons Group De Peel
  • 801st Sqn. MIM-104 Patriot and FIM-92 Stinger Squadron
  • 802nd Sqn. MIM-104 Patriot and FIM-92 Stinger Squadron
  • 803rd Sqn. MIM-104 Patriot and FIM-92 Stinger Squadron
  • 804th Sqn. MIM-104 Patriot and FIM-92 Stinger Tactics, Education & Standardization Squadron
  • 800th Sqn. Group Operations Squadron
  • 650th Sqn. Security Support Squadron
  • 951st Sqn. Maintenance and Logistic Support Squadron

Control station

• Air Operations Control Station Nieuw Milligen
  • 710th Sqn. Air Combat Control Squadron
  • 711th Sqn. Air Security Control Squadron
  • 970th Sqn. Support Squadron

Future Plans

The F-16 will be replaced in the future by the Joint Strike Fighter. It was favoured over the Eurofighter, Rafale and Saab Gripen because the Dutch cabinet believes that the JSF is a sound business investment and has a bright future.

External links

• Official website of the Royal Dutch Airforce (http://www.luchtmacht.nl/)