LIGHTNING IITHE FIGHTER EVOLUTION - F-35

The RNLAF
has conducted
interoperability trials
with the resident
Dutch F-16s of the
training squadron at
Tucson, Arizona.
82

F-35 LIGHTNING II Operator profile – The Netherlands

Controller] and pilot because it offers a new

way of finding and verifying targets.”

Meanwhile, F-35 integration within the

RNLAF is ramping up before the first aircraft

arrive in the Netherlands next year. In the

summer of 2018 the initial cadre of F-35

instructor pilots will move to Luke AFB to be

trained. The RNLAF detachment is embedded

within the 308th Fighter Squadron ‘Emerald

Knights’ as the unit is established as the fourth

Formal Training Unit (FTU) at Luke. The

RNLAF will initially have up to eight of its

own aircraft at Luke to supplement the local

pool of aircraft. The first Dutch aircraft for

the detachment (F-003/AN-03) is slated to be

delivered from Fort Worth in early 2019.

The first aircraft to arrive at Leeuwarden

will be F-009/AN-09, which will be the

first Dutch F-35 to be assembled at the

Final Assembly and Check-Out (FACO)

facility in Cameri, Italy. This line will

also supply the remainder of the current

order of 37 aircraft for the Netherlands.

The historic 322 Squadron will be the

first operational unit to receive the F-35 in

November 2019. Preparation for the F-35 at

Leeuwarden is well underway. Construction

of new infrastructure, including a brand-

new simulator building, is progressing.

Frank Crébas/Bluelifeaviation F-35