#1653 313 Squadron F-35A Lighting II print
Description
Squadron Prints Lithograph No. 1653 - F-024, F-35A Lightning II, 313 Squadron, Volkel Air Base, The Netherlands.
313 Squadron was established at Volkel Air Base on 1 December 1953. On this day, Jachtvliegschool II (Jet Fighter School II) was disbanded, with the aircraft and personnel transferred to the new squadron. The main task for the instructor pilots was to supply the Royal Netherlands Air Force with fully trained jet pilots. The students were trained to fly the T-33 “T-Bird” and the F-84G “Thunderjet” before being posted to an operational squadron. In 1958, the squadron moved to Woensdrecht Air Base, where it merged with Jachtvliegschool I and was renamed Jachtvliegopleiding (Jet Fighter Training) a year later. On 12 October 1972, 313 Squadron re-established at Twenthe Air Base where the instructor pilots flew the NF-5 “Freedom Fighter”. Here they were responsible for training junior pilots who had just returned from training in the United States. The most significant change to the squadron took place in 1987 when 313 Squadron, for the first time in its history, became an operational squadron. No longer responsible for pilot training, the pilots in the squadron converted to the F-16A Fighting Falcon during 1987 and 1988. As the squadron was now an operational unit, it was decided to change the squadron badge to a tiger’s head with the motto “Scherpgetand”. The new badge symbolised the spirit of the squadron: it conducted its mission with the determination, strength and grace of a tiger. 313 Squadron became a full member of the NATO Tiger Association in 1990. Between 1994 and 2001, 313 Squadron became a training unit once more. In October 2002, 313 Squadron regained its operational status at Twenthe Air Base. Since then, 313 Squadron has been involved in multiple operational deployments. In 2003, the Squadron participated in OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, flying missions into Afghanistan in support of ground troops. From 2004 until 2014, 313 Squadron was continuously committed to the INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE FORCE mission, operating from Kabul International Airport, Kandahar Airfield and Mazar-i-Sharif. Due to the closure of Twenthe Air Base, 313 Squadron moved to its new home at Volkel Air Base in 2005. In 2011, the squadron deployed in support of OPERATION UNIFIED PROTECTOR to fly missions over Libya. From 2014 until 2016 and in 2018, 313 Squadron again deployed to join the war against ISIL during OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE flying missions over Iraq and Syria. The squadron also continuously participates in international exercises, is committed to the NATO Tiger Association and fulfills its national duties. On 1 January 2021, 313 Squadron began its transition to the F-35A Lightning II. Since 30 June 2022, 313 Squadron has operated the F-35A from its home at Volkel Air Base.