Founded by HRH Prince Bernard in 1943, the 322nd Squadron is the oldest unit in the Royal Netherlands Air Force. Famous mascotte is the red tail parrot, named Polly.

The 322nd squadron is one of the two F-16 squadrons based at Leeuwarden. It was the first operational F-16 squadron within the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

As early as 1980 the squadron started conversion from the famous one-o-four to the F-16 to become operational on May the 1st 1981.As all other F-16 squadrons 322 Squadron has a "swing role" meaning that they are both trained in the air-to-air as in the air-to-ground role.

322 Squadron is also assigned to the NATO Rapid Reaction Force. In that role the 322nd was deployed to Villafranca (Italy) for operation "Deny Flight" the enforcement of the no-fly zone above the former Yugoslavia.

From March 24, 1999 till June 10, 1999 322 Squadron was put in action in operation "Allied Force", the operation that put an end to hostillities in Kosovo. During this deployment to Amendola (Italy) 1200 missions were flown and 3600 flight hours made.
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