Leeuwarden Air Force Base - 16th of June 2021 the Netherlands
Leeuwarden Air Force Base - 16th of June 2021 the Netherlands
End of F-16 operations at Leeuwarden Air Base.
The arrival of the F-35 as the new fighter aircraft ends the era of the F-16s at Leeuwarden Air Base. On July 1, the ceremonial end of F-16 operations from the Frisian base. F-35s will still be stationed at Leeuwarden Air Base and the unmanned aircraft, the MQ-9, will follow later this year.
F-16 pilots and ground personnel from Leeuwarden will move to Volkel Air Base on July 1. From this base in Brabant, the air force will continue to fly the F-16 until 2024. Then F-35s will take over there tasks as well.
From 1979 onwards.
For 42 years, the F-16 protected the Dutch airspace from its home base in Friesland and was deployed worldwide for peace and security.
The 1st Dutch F-16 landed at Leeuwarden Air Base on June 7, 1979. Then a formation of Starfighters, NF-5s and an F-16 also flew over the Frisian cities.
