Netherlands Air Force deploys F-35As in Bulgaria for Air Policing.

Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighters of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) have arrived in Bulgaria. Together with the Bulgarian Air Force, they will safeguard the NATO airspace over Bulgaria out of Graf Ignatievo Airforce Base from April until May 31.

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While deployed in Bulgaria, Netherlands F-35s will perform Air Policing in cooperation with the Bulgarian Air Force  (Picture source: RNLAF)

The surveillance of NATO airspace (Air Policing) is a task that is performed 24 hours a day, also in the Netherlands. Civilian and military aircraft that do not comply with the international agreements for the use of airspace or that approach NATO airspace without permission, may be intercepted by the deployment of (armed) fighter aircraft (Quick Reaction Alert).

While deployed in Bulgaria, Netherlands F-35s will perform this task in cooperation with the Bulgarian Air Force. Air Policing shows that the Allies are willing to combine and share capabilities for the benefit of collective defence.

The F-35As originated from the 322 Fighter Squadron that operates normally out of Leeuwarden Air Force Base. The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) announced on 12 January that, with the last of 24 F-35As then delivered to 322 Squadron at Leeuwarden Air Base, the first aircraft for 313 Squadron began arriving at Volkel Air Base. The RNLAF declared initial operating capability (IOC) for the F-35A in late December 2021. This means that four aircraft are available for expeditionary taskings for a period of three to four months. The service is expected to declare full operating capability for the F-35As in 2024.

No. 322 (Dutch) Squadron of the Royal Air Force was a fighter squadron during the Second World War. Formed with Dutch personnel already flying with the RAF, during the war it formed part of the Air Defence of Great Britain and formed part of the defences against V-1 flying bombs. In the last year of the war, it moved to the continent. After the war, it was disbanded as an RAF unit, but the 322e Jachtvliegtuig Afdeling of the Netherlands armed forces was formed from the squadron.