Volkel Air Base the Netherlands

Volkel is home to F-35s and F-16s. The F-35 will eventually replace all F-16s. The main task of the air base is to provide air support and air defense. Together with Leeuwarden Air Base and the Air Operations Control Station in Nieuw Milligen, Volkel Air Base is part of Air Combat Command. The F-35s and F-16s fly every working day. And from October to March regularly in the evening. Because it gets dark faster then, the pilots can practice during darkness. When flying at night, the planes usually use the same routes as during the day.

312 Squadron

312 Squadron has the same tasks as 313 Squadron. It is deployable for both air support and air defense tasks according to the so-called swing-role principle. This means that the squadron can quickly switch between these 2 tasks.The squadron was established in 1951. A year later it flew 25 Thunderjets. In 1956, 312 squadron started conversion to the Thunderstreak. From October 1965 to early 1966, the F-104G Starfighter replaced the Thunderstreaks. On July 27, 1984 the first F-16 landed for 312 squadron; the F-16s would continue to perform their duties from Volkel Air Base until at least 2024

313 Squadron

313 Squadron has the same tasks as 312 Squadron. It is deployable for both air support and air defense tasks according to the so-called swing-role principle. This means that the squadron can quickly switch between these 2 tasks. The squadron has a history of disbanding and re-establishing. Officially, 313 Squadron began in 1952 at Volkel with T-33 (T-Bird) aircraft. It has its origins in a fighter flying school at Twenthe Air Base. There, Dutch fighter pilots trained by the British Royal Air Force received refresher training.

From 1988, 313 Squadron started flying the F-16. Then still at Twenthe Air Base. The bird in the emblem gave way to a tiger. As 'tiger squadron', 313 is part of the NATO Tiger Meet. In this international exercise, flying squadrons with a tiger in the emblem keep up their skills and exchange valuable experiences. In 2003 it was decided that Twenthe Air Base had to close due to budget cuts. In early 2005 it was announced that 313 Squadron would make a restart at Volkel Air Base. That return took shape in December 2005 and about 100 Twenthe aircraft and the F-16s were placed at Volkel Air Base. Until 2021, 313 Squadron flew the F-16. Since 2022, 313 Squadron operates as the first squadron from Volkel Air Base with the F-35 Lightning II.