Netherlands Declares IOC for F-35 Squadron

The Netherlands Ministry of Defense officially declared Initial Operational Capable (IOC) for the Air Force’s F-35 squadron.

“With this we are taking another important step in our transition to a future-proof air force. I expect that on our path to Full Operational Capability we will enter a period of heavy deployment of this wonderful new weapon system. Just as we have seen almost continuous deployment of F-16s over the past 30 years, more is only possible with this ' next level ' fighter aircraft,” commented Commander Air Forces Lieutenant General Dennis Luyt.

The military will now be able to deploy a unit of 4 F-35s with personnel and equipment anywhere in the world for a short period of time.

Last year the squadron moved from Leeuwarden to Volkel for exercise Frisian Lightning II. The aim was to prepare the unit for a move in the shortest possible time. Exercise Frisian Lightning I previously trained the packing and preparation of equipment and spare parts. Similar steps were also taken from Leeuwarden to the United States this year.

The Netherlands received the first F-35 at the end of 2019. It is replacing old F-16s by a total of 46 F-35s until the end of 2024.