Soesterberg Air Base

The closure was a result of large-scale post-Cold War reorganizations and budget cuts within the Dutch Ministry of Defence. The primary strategic justification for the base diminished significantly after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) had already withdrawn their fighter squadron in 1994. The Dutch government decided to consolidate its air force operations at fewer, more modern air bases, leading to the decision to close Soesterberg, its oldest and most historically significant airfield.

The former air base has been completely transformed and repurposed. The site is now a multi-use area with three primary functions:

1. **Park Vliegbasis Soesterberg (Nature Reserve):** The majority of the area, including the main runway, has been redeveloped into a large public nature reserve managed by the Utrechts Landschap foundation. The vast concrete runways and taxiways are now open for recreational activities like walking, cycling, and skating, offering a unique landscape where nature is reclaiming the military infrastructure.

2. **Nationaal Militair Museum (National Military Museum):** A large, modern museum was built on the site and opened in 2014. This museum merges the collections of the former Royal Netherlands Army Museum (previously in Delft) and the Military Aviation Museum (which was already at Soesterberg). It showcases the history of the Dutch armed forces, with many aircraft and vehicles displayed inside and outside the main building, overlooking the former airfield.

3. **Limited Military Presence:** A small section of the former base is still used by the Dutch military for logistics and is home to the RNLAF's gliding club (Zweefvliegclub Soesterberg).

Soesterberg Air Base, known as 'Vliegbasis Soesterberg' in Dutch and with the former ICAO code EHSB, holds a unique place in aviation history.

- **Founding (1913):** It was established in 1913 as the cradle of military aviation in the Netherlands, making it the country's oldest airfield. The first military aircraft of the 'Luchtvaartafdeeling' (Aviation Department), the precursor to the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), were based here.

- **World War II:** During the German occupation, the base was seized and expanded by the Luftwaffe, who used it to launch attacks against England.

- **Cold War Era (Most Significant Period):** After the war, Soesterberg became a front-line NATO air base. In 1954, under a NATO agreement, the base became a co-use facility for the RNLAF and the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). The American section was known as 'Camp New Amsterdam'. Its most famous resident unit was the USAFE's 32nd Tactical Fighter Squadron (later Fighter Group), nicknamed the 'Wolfhounds'. For decades, the 32nd TFS was the only American air defense unit permanently stationed in Europe, tasked with intercepting Soviet aircraft. The base hosted a succession of iconic American fighter jets, including the F-86 Sabre, F-102 Delta Dagger, F-4 Phantom II, and finally the F-15 Eagle. The presence of the F-15s from 1978 to 1994 made Soesterberg a critical asset in the defense of Western Europe.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening Soesterberg Air Base for powered flight operations. The site's extensive and successful conversion into a protected nature reserve, a major national museum, and a public recreation area makes any such proposal unfeasible. The infrastructure, while visually intact, is no longer maintained to aviation standards and is now an integral part of the park's landscape.