Volkel Air Base has 2 squadrons for air support and air defense tasks: 312 and 313 Squadron. In addition to these operational squadrons, there are the supporting squadrons: 900, 901 and 640 Squadron.
The squadron was founded in 1951. A year later, it flew with 25 Thunderjets. In 1956, 312 Squadron started converting to the Thunderstreak. In the period 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 will continue to perform their tasks from Volkel Air Base until at least September 2024
313 Squadron has the same tasks as 312 Squadron. It can be deployed for both air support and air defence 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 started in 1952 at Volkel with T-33 (T-Bird) aircraft. It has its origins in a fighter pilot school at Twenthe Air Base. There, the Dutch fighter pilots who had been trained by the British Royal Air Force received additional training.
From 1988, 313 Squadron started flying the F-16. At that time, still at Twenthe Air Base. The bird in the emblem made way for a tiger. As a ‘tiger squadron’, 313 is part of the NATO Tiger Meet. In this international exercise, flying squadrons with a tiger in the emblem keep their skills up to date and exchange valuable experiences.
In 2003, it was decided that Twenthe Air Base had to close due to budget cuts. Early 2005 it was announced that 313 Squadron would make a fresh start at Volkel Air Base. This return took shape in December 2005 and approximately 100 Twente residents and the F-16s were stationed at Volkel Air Base. Until 2021, 313 Squadron flew the F-16.
Since 2022, 313 Squadron has been the first squadron to operate from Volkel Air Base with the F-35 Lightning II.
Source: defensie.nl
