Valkenburg Naval Air Base

The closure of Valkenburg Naval Air Base was a direct result of major post-Cold War defense reorganizations and budget cuts within the Dutch Ministry of Defence. The primary operational user of the airbase, the Royal Netherlands Navy's Naval Aviation Service (Marine Luchtvaartdienst), was disbanded. Its fleet of Lockheed P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft, which were based at Valkenburg, was sold to Germany and Portugal. Without its main operational purpose and resident aircraft, the airbase was deemed redundant and was subsequently closed.

The former airbase site is undergoing a major transformation. After its closure, the land was transferred to the Dutch Central Government Real Estate Agency (Rijksvastgoedbedrijf). For several years, it was used for temporary purposes, including large-scale events like the 'Soldier On' rock festival, automotive events, and as a temporary emergency shelter for asylum seekers in 2015-2016.

The primary current use is large-scale redevelopment:
1. **Residential District 'Valkenhorst':** The majority of the site is being redeveloped into a new, sustainable residential and commercial area named 'Valkenhorst'. The plan includes the construction of over 5,600 homes, along with schools, parks, and other amenities, scheduled to be built over the coming decade.
2. **Unmanned Valley:** A portion of the site, including one of the original runways, has been repurposed as 'Unmanned Valley'. This is a technology campus and field lab for research, development, and testing of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) and other sensor-based technologies. It provides a controlled environment for companies and research institutions to innovate.
3. **Heritage:** Several iconic structures, including a large hangar (Hangaar 2) and the former control tower, have been designated as monuments and are being preserved and integrated into the new development.

Valkenburg Naval Air Base has a rich and significant history. Construction began in 1939, but it was incomplete at the time of the German invasion in May 1940. The German Luftwaffe completed the airfield and used it extensively during World War II as a 'Fliegerhorst', playing a role in the air war against Britain. After the liberation of the Netherlands, it was briefly used by the Royal Air Force before being transferred to the Royal Netherlands Navy in 1947.

During the Cold War, it became the main operational base for the Dutch Naval Aviation Service. It was a crucial NATO asset for maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations over the North Atlantic and the North Sea. The base was home to a succession of key maritime patrol aircraft, including the Lockheed P-2 Neptune, the Breguet Br.1150 Atlantic, and finally the Lockheed P-3C Orion. These aircraft and their crews were tasked with tracking Soviet submarines, a vital mission for NATO's naval strategy. The base also handled naval transport aircraft and helicopters, serving as the heart of Dutch naval aviation for nearly 60 years.

There are zero prospects for reopening Valkenburg as a conventional airport for manned aircraft. The extensive and advanced state of the 'Valkenhorst' residential development project makes a return to traditional aviation operations physically impossible and politically unfeasible due to noise, safety, and environmental regulations. The future of aviation at the site is exclusively focused on the high-tech, small-scale activities within the 'Unmanned Valley' test center for drones, which operates under a completely different regulatory framework than a public or military airport.