Soesterberg

Geschiedenis

Soesterberg is a town in the Dutch province of Utrecht. It is a part of the municipality of Soest, and lies about 5 km northeast of Zeist, on the road between Amersfoort and Utrecht.In 2001, the town of Soesterberg had 5,798 inhabitants. The built-up area of the town was 1.31 km², and contained 2503 residences.Soesterberg Air BaseIn 1910, the heathland north of the village was used as an airfield. From 1954 to 1994 it became a NATO base for the United States Air Force 32nd FS (originally 512th FDS later it became 32nd FD,32nd FIS and 32nd TFS), and the village of Soesterberg housed a number of American families. The 32nd is the only US military unit to ever have been under direct operational control of a foreign nation (operational control fell to the Dutch military).The Dutch Airforce (then called LuchtVaartafdeling or LVa, literally airdriving department) was established here in 1913.Soesterberg Airbase is now home to the Dutch army helicopter force, it is slated for closure as the Dutch military establishment is being reduced. Base closed in 2010, now location of Airforce/Military museum, re-opens 2014Nearby Kamp Zeist is the home of the Dutch Airforce museum as well as the site of the Lockerbie trials of Libyan agents who blew up a Pan Am Flight 103 over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in 1988.