Fighter Jet News
F-35 Lightning II News
First F-35 squadron for the RNLAF
November 5, 2014 (by
Asif Shamim) -
The Royal Netherlands Air Force has its first F-35 squadron as of yesterday afternoon, the Royal Netherlands Air Force has its first F-35 squadron.
The squadron will operate in the US. The first F-35s are planned to transfer to bases in the Netherlands from 2019 onwards. The Dutch military will buy at least 37 aircraft of this type.. The squadron will operate in the US. The first F-35s are planned to transfer to bases in the Netherlands from 2019 onwards. The Dutch military will buy at least 37 aircraft of this type.
During a ceremony at Eglin Air Force Base in the United States, the flag of 323 Squadron was handed over to the F-35 unit, symbolising the transfer of command.
Prior to the introduction of the F-35, 323 squadron will be responsible for the Operational Test and Evaluation Phase (OT&E), which will begin at Edwards Air Force Base in California by the end of this year. The squadron will thus lay the foundation for the RNlAF's commissioning of the F-35.
"Performing OT&Es is a familiar task for 323 Squadron", said Colonel Bert de Smit, detachment commander at Eglin Air Force Base. "323 was also responsible for the OT&Es of the F-16. Now the squadron has been given the honourable task of preparing the Defence organisation for operations with an extremely versatile fifth-generation jet fighter."
The RNLAF stood up its first F-35 Lightning II squadron in ceremonies at Eglin AFB, Florida, on 4 November 2014. During the ceremony, the flag of 323 Squadron was handed over to squadron leaders at Eglin, symbolizing transfer of command. 323 Squadron, which currently flies F-16s, will be responsible for RNLAF OTE for the F-35. [Photo by Liz Kaszynski]
During a ceremony at Eglin Air Force Base in the United States, the flag of 323 Squadron was handed over to the F-35 unit, symbolising the transfer of command.
Prior to the introduction of the F-35, 323 squadron will be responsible for the Operational Test and Evaluation Phase (OT&E), which will begin at Edwards Air Force Base in California by the end of this year. The squadron will thus lay the foundation for the RNlAF's commissioning of the F-35.
"Performing OT&Es is a familiar task for 323 Squadron", said Colonel Bert de Smit, detachment commander at Eglin Air Force Base. "323 was also responsible for the OT&Es of the F-16. Now the squadron has been given the honourable task of preparing the Defence organisation for operations with an extremely versatile fifth-generation jet fighter."
Courtesy of Dutch Ministry of Defence