The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) is the air force of the Netherlands.
The Air Force was founded in the year 1913. The aerobatic display team was active from 1979 to 2019, named the Solo Display Team.
History
Origin in 1913
The Dutch Air Force started on 1 July 1913 at Soesterberg airfield with 4 pilots. When it started it only had 1 aircraft, the brik.
Only a few months later 3 French Farman HF.20.
But these airplanes where fast to old and was replaced with the Nieuport and Caudron.
World War I (1914-1918) The Netherlands stayed neutral during World War I.
New airfields where build at Gilze-Rijen air base, Arnhem, Venlo and Vlissingen.
Between the wars
The Dutch goverment cut the defence budget for the army and the army was almost gone.
As political tensions in Europe increased in the late 1930s the goverment tried to rebuild the army in 1938.
World War II and the late 1940s
In August of 1939 the army was ready. But because of low budget the air force only operated
176 combat aircraft of the types:
16 Fokker T.V
36 Fokker D.XXI
35 Fokker G.I
7 Fokker D.XVII
17 Douglas DB-8A-3N
20 Fokker C.X
33 Fokker C.V
20 Koolhoven FK-51
In May of 1940 German troops invade the Netherlands. Within five days the Dutch Army was defeated by the luftwaffe.
All of the Brigade's bombers, along with 30 Fokker D.XXI and 17 Fokker G.I fighters where shot down; 2 D.XXI and 8 G.I where destroyed on the ground.
2 G.I where captured by the German forces.
1950s and 1960s
The Spitfire Mk.IX was used by 322 Squadron RNLAF until 1954, but was replaced as new squadrons were established. The Gloster Meteor F Mk.IV was used by 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327 and 328 Squadrons from 1948–1957. Bases included Soesterberg and Leeuwarden. The Gloster Meteor F Mk.VIII was used by 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327 and 328 sqn from 1951–1958. CTL consisted of seven new strike squadrons (306, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315 and 316 sqn), all equipped with Republic F-84G Thunderjet's. These aircraft were supplied by the United States under the Mutual Defense Aid Program from 1952–1956. 311 was the first flying squadron to be stood up at Volkel on 1 May 1951. 322, 323, 324, 325, 326 and 327 Sqn operated the Hawker Hunter F Mk.4 between 1955–1964, and 322, 324, 325 and 326 Sqn operated the Hawker Hunter F Mk.6 between 1957–1968. 700, 701 and 702 Sqn operated the North American F-86K Sabre all-weather fighter between 1955–1964. 306, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315 and 316 Sqn changed aircraft configuration from 1955–1970 as the Republic F-84F Thunderstreak and RF-84F Thunderflash became available.
Western New Guinea conflict
The Indonesian government claimed Western New Guinea following the end of the Second World War. The Dutch government considered the area Dutch territory. Negotiations over the country were conducted for years, but tensions grew until Indonesia broke diplomatic relations with the Netherlands at the end of the 1950s.
In response, in 1958, the Netherlands deployed military reinforcements to New Guinea, including an Air Force detachment for the air defense of the island Biak as there was evidence that Indonesia was infiltrating the island in advance of a military operation
one Hawker Hunter Mk.4 air defence squadron; a radar navigation system at Biak, and; a reserve airstrip at Noemfoer.
The Dutch government deployed a squadron consisting of 12 Hawker Hunter Mk.4 AD fighters and two Alouette II SAR helicopters. They were transported to Southeast Asia by the Karel Doorman. One year later the Dutch government deployed another 12 Hawker Hunter Mk6 AD fighters; these aircraft carried more fuel and had a larger combat radius.
In August 1962 Indonesia was ready to attack New Guinea. Despite reinforcements the Dutch defences would be insufficient to withstand the coming attack. Therefore, and because of international political pressure the Dutch government was forced to agree to the peaceful surrender of New Guinea. Dutch forces were withdrawn from the territory.
Cold War era, 1960s, 1970s and later
During the cold war Dutch Air Force flying units were integrated in NATO's Second Allied Tactical Air Force tasked with defending northern West Germany against Warsaw Pact forces.