Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Royal Netherlands Air Force
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.
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Current Equipment
The aircraft deployed include:
Fighters
Transport/refuelling
- C-130 Hercules
- KDC-10 Aerial refueling/strategic transports
- Fokker F50
- Fokker F60
- Gulfstream IV
Attack helicopters
Transport helicopters
- CH-47 Chinook
- Augusta Bell AB 412
- Aérospatiale Alouette III
- Eurocopter Cougar
Trainers
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
- 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
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
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