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Jul 8 2022

Netherlands F-35s arrive at Volkel Air Base as new Air Combat Command is stood up

VOLKEL, the Netherlands – The Royal Netherlands Air Force redeployed four of their F-35 fighter aircraft to Volkel Air Base and established a new Air Combat Command re-organising its air command and control arrangements. 

I'm very proud of this team of ACC that deliver our 5th generation Airpower to NATO - whenever and wherever needed

The first four modern F-35 fighter aircraft landed at Volkel Air Base on June 30, 2022, marking the re-establishment of the their 313 Squadron as a fifth-generation fighter unit. At the same time, the Royal Netherlands Air Force stood up a new Air Combat Command (ACC), which is comprised of the two operational fighter bases at Leeuwarden in the north and Volkel in the south and Air Operations Control Station (AOCS) based at Nieuw-Milligen in the centre of the Netherlands.

During a ceremony, the first commander of new Air Combat Command, Commodore Johan van Deventer, received the command banner form the Royal Netherlands Air Force Commander, Lieutenant General Dennis Luyt.

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In December 2020, the Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft from Squadron 313 left Volkel Air Base in an impressive formation flight. Photo by Joris van Boven.
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On June 30,  2022 four F-35modern fighter aircraft arrived at Volkel re-instating 313 Squadron and continuing the NATO Tiger history. Photo by Joris van Boven.
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The newly created Netherlands Air Combat Command is comprised of the fighter capability and the command and control overhead creating agile organsiational structures.
 Photo courtesy Royal Netherlands Air Force.
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The Royal Netherlands Air Force MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle fleet will eventually be stationed at Leeuwarden and is also controlled by the new Air Combat Command.
Photo courtesy Royal Netherlands Air Force.

"Establishing the ACC is an important step towards our 5th gen Air Force," said Air Commodore van Deventer. "Within this new organization we join the combat capability of all our F-35s, F-16s, MQ-9s, Air Battle Management, Targeting, and Datalink management under one Commander," he added.

"We operate from three locations, with 13 squadrons, as one information driven team within the new Royal Netherlands Air Force command structure. By delegating responsibilities to lower levels we increase our agility enabling quick adjustments to the rapidly changing operational environment," Commodore van Devent said. "I'm very proud of this 2000-strong team of ACC that deliver our 5th generation Airpower to NATO - whenever and wherever needed," he concluded.

313 Squadron - Netherlands' "TIGER Squadron" 

Its traditional home base at Volkel, the Royal Netherlands Air Force 313 squadron is the Dutch Tiger squadron, present at many NATO Tiger Meets throughout the years. When it was temporarily de-activated as an F-16 squadron in December 2020, pilots and ground crews converted to the 5th generation F-35 fighter aircraft at Leeuwarden Air Base.

With the official arrival of the F-35s, Volkel Air Base now has two squadrons with two jet fighter types: 312 squadron flying the F-16 and 313 squadron flying the F-35. For the next two years, 312 squadron will keep on flying the F-16, and after retirement of this aircraft type, they will convert to the F-35.

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office based on information provided by Sentry Aviation News and Royal Netherlands Air Force

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