Leeuwarden Air Base

Geschiedenis

Leeuwarden Air Base is a military airbase used by the Royal Netherlands Air Force - Koninklijke Luchtmacht,. The airbase is one of the two F-16 Fighting Falcon bases of the RNLAF. The airbase lies northwest of the capital of Friesland, Leeuwarden.Leeuwarden Air Base is also one of the three military airbases that organise the twice-in-three-years Luchtmachtdagen of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, consisting of air shows and static exhibits. In 2006, 2008, 2011 and 2016 Leeuwarden Air Base hosted these public demonstration days.HistoryThe airport of Leeuwarden was built in 1938, and was used as an airport between Schiphol and Eelde. The airport was used only infrequently at first, but that changed after the Germans had invaded the Low Countries in 1940. The Germans used the airport as a base for their fighter aircraft (including the Messerschmitt Bf 109) and bombers. From the airbase the Germans could reach Great Britain. During World War II, and especially on the 16th and 17th of September, 1944, the airbase was heavily bombed by the British.After the liberation of the Netherlands the airbase was repaired, and during the first post-war years it was used as a civil airport, and the KLM ran a commercial line to Schiphol. In 1949, Leeuwarden became a dedicated military airbase.