A pair of Lockheed Martin F-16AM Fighting Falcons, from 322 Squadron of The Royal Netherlands Air Force based at Leeuwarden, Netherlands are seen departing from RAF Fairford following their inclusion in the static aircraft display during The Royal International Air Tattoo 2017.
322 Squadron is a quick reaction task force. The F-16s can participate very quickly in peace operations and crisis management operations outside the Netherlands.
322 Squadron trains fighter pilots to become weapons instructors and develops tactics for the weapon system of the F-16. It also tests and evaluates the F-16s and ensures that squadrons work according to the same agreements. The squadron has its own test aircraft. This F-16 is equipped with equipment to test various new applications for the fighter aircraft.
The 322 Squadron is therefore a knowledge center for F-16 pilots from the Netherlands and other NATO countries. It also participates in peace operations and crisis management operations.
Experienced F-16 pilots follow the Fighter Weapons Instructor Training (FWIT) at 322 Squadron. This is for training and education of weapons instructors. The international training takes 6 months. Participants are the Belgian, Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, and Portuguese Air Force, the so-called European Participating Air Forces (EPAF).
322 Squadron was founded in England on 12 June 1943. It was then called 322 Dutch Squadron Royal Air Force. The pilots were Dutch who had fled to England. 322 Squadron took part in, among other things, the Battle of Arnhem and the air battles for the corridor in Brabant.
322 Squadron took over the duties of 323 Squadron at the end of 2014. This squadron was relocated to Edwards Air Force Base in California (United States) for the introduction of the F-35. It is responsible for the operational test and evaluation phase of the F-35.
'Polly Gray' -
The emblem of 322 Squadron is the mascot of the squadron: Polly Gray, a gray red-tailed parrot. The very first Polly Gray was bought by a squadron pilot in London during the Second World War.
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