Woensdrecht Air Base

Words and photographs Remco Donselaar, additional photography Nico van Remmerden.

In the south-west of the Netherlands,RNLAF Base Woensdrecht is situated. Raised in 1934 as a glider air field of the Militaire Luchtvaart Afdeling (MLA), during WWII it expanded to a full operational air base. The EVO (Elemantaire Vlieg Opleiding/Elemantary Flying School) was set up at this field in 1946.

The air base was closed fot military movements between 1968 and 1988. Since 1955 Fokker Services started the maintenance of the Fokker F-27's and untill today still operates at Woensdrecht as part of Stork.

Nowadays Woensdrecht air base is one of the largest employers in the area with over 2.000 employees allocated over both civil and military units. There are over 14.000 movements a year. The military units are divided in 3 parts: Education, Maintenance and Meteo.

There are 4 education squadrons: 130, 131, 132, 133 with 131 EMVO Squadron (Elemantaire Militaire Vlieger Opleiding / Elementary Military Flying School) is the flying unit equipped with 13 Pilatus PC-7s.

The LC (Logistic Centre) KLu is part of the maintenance unit. They modify and maintain the following types in service with the RNLAF: F-16, CH-47, AS532U2 and PC-7. In the near future also the AH-64D will get it`s phase inspections at the LCKLU.

The author wishes to thank Gilze-Rijen Aviation Society GRAS and BuVo Woensdrecht.