F-35s Go Dutch

The Royal Netherlands Air Force's (RNLAF) 323 Squadron took command of the first two Dutch F-35s in Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, Nov. 4.

Dutch Ministry of Defense photo

The squadron is responsible for the Dutch F-35's operational test and evaluation (OT&E) phase, which begins at Edwards Air Force Base, California, at the end of the year.

The squadron was previously responsible for the OT&E of the F-16 and for the operational standardization of the combat aircraft, both nationally and internationally.

The first F-35s are scheduled to come to the Netherlands in 2019.