🇳🇱 Volkel Air Base

Volkel Air Base (EHVK/UDE) is a military airfield operated by the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force (RNLASF) near the village of Volkel in the province of North Brabant, Netherlands [Wikipedia]. It is one of the three major operational bases for the RNLASF [Wikipedia].

Operations and Features:

• Military Use: Volkel is home to two F-35A squadrons, No. 312 and No. 313, along with maintenance, logistical, and base squadrons for the RNLASF [Wikipedia]. The base also hosts the 703rd Munitions Support Squadron of the United States Air Force [Wikipedia].
• Non-Military Use: The base accommodates a trauma helicopter operated by ANWB Medical Air Assistance for the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, and the Dutch Police Aviation Service also uses the facility [Wikipedia],. A gliding club is also a co-user.
• Runways: It has two parallel asphalt runways, both oriented 06/24. The main runway (06L/24R) is approximately 3,029 meters (9,938 ft) long and 45 meters (148 ft) wide, capable of handling larger aircraft and equipped with an Instrument Landing System (ILS). The parallel runway (06R/24L) is about 2,886 meters (9,469 ft) long and 23 meters (75 ft) wide [Wikipedia].
• Nuclear Weapons: Since the early 1960s, USAF nuclear weapons have been stored at Volkel, with former Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers confirming the presence of 22 B61 nuclear bombs in 2013 [Wikipedia]. These are stored in Weapons Storage and Security Systems (WS3) vaults within aircraft shelters [Wikipedia]. Training with the latest B61-12 modification began in 2021 [Wikipedia].

History:

• World War II: The airfield was constructed by the Luftwaffe in 1940 as Nachtlandeplatz Volkel and later expanded into Fliegerhorst Volkel, hosting night fighters and Messerschmitt Bf 109G aircraft. It was heavily bombed in 1944 and subsequently used by the British Royal Air Force after liberation [Wikipedia].
• Post-War: The Royal Netherlands Air Force took control in 1950, operating various jet aircraft including Gloster Meteors, F-84 Thunderjets, F-104 Starfighters, and F-16 Fighting Falcons. The F-16s have since been replaced by F-35 Lightning IIs [Wikipedia].

Current Status: Volkel Air Base is operational and continues to be a key military airfield for the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force, housing F-35A squadrons and supporting US Air Force operations [Wikipedia]. It also serves as a base for non-military air services [Wikipedia],.

*Sources researched: en.wikipedia.org, scramble.nl, defensie.nl, airports-worldwide.com, metar-taf.com*