First Dutch F-35 squadron established

The Royal Netherlands Air Force on 4 November changed the command of its F-35 Lightning II detachment at Eglin AFB, Florida, to 323 Sqn. The unit had been officially disbanded on 31 October at Leeuwarden air base, having previously operated the F-16.
Now re-established in the USA, 323 Sqn will be tasked primarily with conducting initial operational test and evaluation of the F-35, following its relocation to Edwards AFB in California by the end of this year.
The Dutch air force has taken delivery of two F-35As to support the US-led IOT&E activity, and has three pilots qualified on the type.
The F-35A is due to become operational with the Royal Netherlands Air Force during 2019, with the service expected to eventually receive another 37 of the type.
flightglobal

The Netherlands to commence F-35 training in November

The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) is to shortly begin training air and ground personnel on the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).
RNLAF pilots and technicians will begin training at Eglin AFB in Florida at the end of October. The disclosure comes weeks after she announced that the Netherlands will procure a total of 37 JSFs to replace the RNLAF's Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons.
The pilots will start off with theoretical training and begin flying with the JSF in December. The training aims to prepare pilots and maintenance personnel for the operational test phase beginning in 2015.
The two Dutch F-35A conventional take-off and landing aircraft (AN-1, delivered in April 2012, and AN-2 delivered in March 2013) are currently at Eglin AFB. The two aircraft, along with the Dutch personnel, will move to Edwards AFB in California for the second part of the operational test phase.
janes