Gilze-Rijen Air Base: Difference between revisions

Gilze-Rijen Air Base
Gilze-Rijen Air Base
Vliegbasis Gilze-Rijen
Gilze en Rijen, North Brabant in Netherlands
	An AS532U2 Cougar Mk2 and AH-64D Apache (in background) of the Royal Netherlands Air Force at Gilze-Rijen Air Base
	Gilze-Rijen Location in the Netherlands
Coordinates	51°34′02″N 004°55′54″E / 51.56722°N 4.93167°E
Type	Military airfield
Site information
Owner	Ministry of Defence
Operator	Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF)
Condition	Operational
Website	Official website (Dutch)
Site history
Built	1910
In use	1910–present
Airfield information
Identifiers	IATA: GLZ, ICAO: EHGR, WMO: 063500
Elevation	14.9 metres (49 ft) AMSL
Runways
10/28	2,767.5 metres (9,080 ft) Asphalt
02/20	1,995.8 metres (6,548 ft) Asphalt
	Source: Military Aeronautical Information Publication Netherlands

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Gilze-Rijen Air Base (Dutch: Vliegbasis Gilze-Rijen, IATA: GLZ, ICAO: EHGR) is a military airbase in the south of Netherlands. It is known for having the hottest temperature ever measured in the Netherlands, with a temperature of 40.7 °C, on July 25, 2019. It is between the cities of Breda and Tilburg, which are both in North Brabant. The airport is mainly, but not exclusively, used as a base for Royal Netherlands Air Force helicopters. The airfield has two runways, the longest one is complete with an instrument landing system (ILS) and is 2,779 metres (9,117 ft) long by 45 m (148 ft) wide in the 10/28 direction. The shorter runway (without ILS) is 1,996 m (6,549 ft) by 30 m (98 ft) in the 02/20 direction.

History

Gilze-Rijen Air Base is the oldest airfield in the Netherlands, the first aircraft to have landed there being a Blériot in 1910. The first military aircraft activity dates back to 1913, when a Farman aircraft used the field for military exercises which established it as a military airfield.

Republic F-84F Thunderstreak as a gateguard at Gilze-Rijen Air Base

In 1940, the airfield came under heavy attack from the German Luftwaffe, who later took control of the base and expanded it for their own use. While in German hands during the Second World War, the field came under frequent attack from allied forces until the liberation of the south of the Netherlands, after which the Royal Air Force took control of the airfield.

In 1946, the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) resumed operations from the airfield, using it as a training base for pilots and air traffic controllers. In 1962, training activity was suspended, and Gilze-Rijen was reduced to a reserve base for bomber aircraft. Training activity was resumed in 1967, mainly using Fokker S-11s and Piper Cubs. For paratrooper training and group droppings the Fokker F27 Friendship was in use. In 1971, the training activity was suspended again when a fighter squadron was moved to the airfield, which also included a significant upgrade of airport facilities. Initially the Northrop NF-5A/B, and later its replacement, the General Dynamics F-16A/B Fighting Falcon, were operated from the base up until 1995. It has 30 Hardened Aircraft Shelters (HAS).

In 1995, as a part of a large-scale reorganisation within the Royal Netherlands Air Force, the fighter aircraft were moved from Gilze-Rijen, and the base became the home of Bölkow Bo-105 helicopters instead. In 1998, AH-64 Apache attack helicopters followed, while the Bo-105 helicopters were slowly being phased out.

In 2009, helicopter operations from Soesterberg Air Base were moved to Gilze-Rijen Air Base, which resulted in CH-47 Chinook and AS 532U2 Cougar Mk 2 helicopters being based at the airfield as well as the Alouette III for VIP transport, making Gilze-Rijen the main operating base for military helicopters in the Netherlands.

Stichting Koninklijke Luchtmacht Historische Vlucht

The Stichting Koninklijke Luchtmacht Historische Vlucht (Royal Air Force Historic Flight Foundation) is also located at Gilze-Rijen air base, owning and operating a collection of mainly historic military aircraft. The current fleet consists of the following aircraft:

Auster Mk.III
Beech T-7 Navigator
Cessna 172P Skyhawk (for training purposes)
de Havilland 82A Tiger Moth
de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver
Fokker S-11 (4x)
Noorduyn Harvard IIb (6x)
North American B-25 Mitchell
Piper Cub (6x)
Ryan ST-M
Stinson L-5 Sentinel
Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX

Based units

Units based at Gilze-Rijen Air Base.^[2]

Royal Netherlands Air Force

Defence Helicopter Command

No. 298 Squadron – CH-47D/F Chinook
No. 299 Squadron – Helicopter training and standards
No. 300 Squadron – AS532U2 Cougar Mk 2
No. 301 Squadron – AH-64D Apache
No. 930 Squadron – Maintenance and Logistics
No. 931 Squadron – Base operations and Force Protection

Centre for Man in Aviation

SERE School – Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape training facility
OGZ – Operational Healthcare

References

^ Defensie, Ministerie van (January 15, 2018). "MilAIP: information for the aviation sector – Defensie.nl". english.defensie.nl. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
^ Defensie, Ministerie van (February 9, 2018). "Vliegbasis Gilze-Rijen – Koninklijke Luchtmacht – Defensie.nl". www.defensie.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved December 7, 2020.

External links

(in Dutch) Luchtmacht.nl – Vliegbasis Gilze-Rijen, official website
Royal Netherlands Air Force Historical Flight Foundation
Airliners.net – Photos taken at Gilze-Rijen Air Base
Current weather for EHGR at NOAA/NWS
Accident history for GLZ at Aviation Safety Network

[1] Defensie, Ministerie van (January 15, 2018). "MilAIP: information for the aviation sector – Defensie.nl". english.defensie.nl. Retrieved December 7, 2020.

[2] Defensie, Ministerie van (February 9, 2018). "Vliegbasis Gilze-Rijen – Koninklijke Luchtmacht – Defensie.nl". www.defensie.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved December 7, 2020.

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|Military airport in North Brabant, Netherlands}}
-{{Infobox airport
+{{More citations needed|date=May 2009}}
-| name         = Gilze-Rijen Air Base
+{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
-| ensign = [[File:Netherlands roundel.svg|65px]]
+{{Infobox military installation
-| nativename   = {{smaller|''Vliegbasis Gilze-Rijen''}}
+| name          = Gilze-Rijen Air Base
-| nativename-r = {{small|(Advanced Landing Ground B-77)}}
+| ensign        = File:Flag_of_the_Royal_Netherlands_Air_Force.svg
-| image        = An124lift.jpg
-| image-width  = 250
+| ensign_size   = 90px
-| caption      = Antonov An-124 being loaded at Gilze-Rijen in 2005
+| native_name   = {{Lang|nl|Vliegbasis Gilze-Rijen}}
+| partof        = <!-- for elements within a larger site -->
-| IATA         = GLZ
-| ICAO         = EHGR
+| location      = [[Gilze en Rijen]], [[North Brabant]]
+| nearest_town  =
-| type         = [[Military]]
-| owner        = [[Military of the Netherlands]]
+| country       = [[Netherlands]]
-| operator     = [[Royal Netherlands Air Force]] (RNLAF)<br>''Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu)''
+| image         = File:Eurocopter AS-532U2 Cougar Mk2, Netherlands - Air Force AN0869250.jpg
+| alt           =
-| location     = [[Gilze en Rijen]], [[North Brabant|Noord-Brabant]], [[Netherlands]]
+| caption       = An [[Eurocopter AS532 Cougar|AS532U2 Cougar Mk2]] and [[Boeing AH-64 Apache|AH-64D Apache]] (in background) of the [[Royal Netherlands Air Force]] at Gilze-Rijen Air Base
-| built        = 1910
+| image2        = <!--secondary image, major command emblems for airfields -->
-| used         =
-| commander    =
+| alt2          =
-| occupants    =
+| caption2      =
+| type          = Military airfield
-| metric-elev  = y
+| coordinates   = {{coord|51|34|02|N|004|55|54|E|display=inline,title}}
-| elevation-m  = 15
-| elevation-f  = 49
+| gridref       =
+| image_map     =
-| website      = [http://www.luchtmacht.nl/gilzerijen/ www.luchtmacht.nl/gilzerijen/]
+| image_mapsize =
-| coordinates  = {{coord|51|34|02|N|004|55|54|E|region:NL|display=inline,title}}
+| image_map_alt =
-| pushpin_map            = Netherlands
+| image_map_caption =
-| pushpin_mapsize        = 250
+| pushpin_map   = Netherlands
-| pushpin_map_caption    = Location of Gilze-Rijen Air Base
+| pushpin_mapsize =
-| pushpin_label          = '''EHGR'''
+| pushpin_map_alt =
-| pushpin_label_position = left
+| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the Netherlands
-| metric-rwy   = y
-| r1-number    = 10/28
+| pushpin_relief =
-| r1-length-m  = 2,779
+| pushpin_image =
+| pushpin_label = Gilze-Rijen
-| r1-length-f  = 9,117
+| pushpin_label_position = right
-| r1-surface   = [[Asphalt]]
-| r2-number    = 02/20
+| pushpin_mark  =
+| pushpin_marksize =
-| r2-length-m  = 1,996
+| ownership     = [[Ministry of Defence (Netherlands)|Ministry of Defence]]
-| r2-length-f  = 6,549
+| operator      = [[Royal Netherlands Air Force]] (RNLAF)
-| r2-surface   = Asphalt
+| controlledby  = <!-- such as RAF Bomber Command or the Eighth Air Force -->
-| footnotes    = Source: [[DAFIF]]<ref name=WAD>{{WAD|EHGR|source=[[DAFIF]]}}</ref><ref name=GCM>{{GCM|GLZ|source=DAFIF}}</ref>
+| open_to_public = <!-- for out of use sites/sites with museums etc -->
+| site_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
+| site_other    = <!-- for other sorts of facilities – radar types etc -->
+| site_area     = <!-- area of site m2, km2 square mile etc -->
+| code          = <!--facility/installation code, applies to US -->
+| built         = {{Start date|1910}}
+| used          = 1910–present <!--{{End date|1946}} -->
+| builder       =
+| materials     =
+| height        = <!-- height of tallest part, not above sea level -->
+| length        = <!-- for border fences or other DMZs -->
+| fate          = <!--changed from demolished parameter-->
+| condition     = Operational
+| battles       =
+| events        =
+| current_commander = <!-- current commander -->
+| past_commanders = <!-- past notable commander(s) -->
+| garrison      = <!-- such as the 25th Bombardment Group -->
+| occupants     = <!-- squadrons only -->
+| designations  =
+| website       = {{Official website|https://www.defensie.nl/organisatie/luchtmacht/vliegbases-en-luchtmachtonderdelen/gilze-rijen|name=Official website (Dutch)}}
+<!-- begin airfield information  -->| IATA          = GLZ
+| ICAO          = EHGR
+| FAA           =
+| TC            =
+| LID           =
+| GPS           =
+| WMO           = 063500
+| elevation     = {{Convert|14.9|m|0}}
+| r1-number     = 10/28
+| r1-length     = {{Convert|2767.5|m|0}}
+| r1-surface    = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]]
+| r2-number     = 02/20
+| r2-length     = {{Convert|1995.8|m|0}}
+| r2-surface    = Asphalt
+| h1-number     =
+| h1-length     = <!-- {{Convert| |m|0}} -->
+| h1-surface    =
+| airfield_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
+| airfield_other = <!-- for other sorts of airfield facilities -->
+<!--  end airfield information   -->| footnotes     = '''Source:''' Military Aeronautical Information Publication Netherlands<ref>{{Cite web|last=Defensie|first=Ministerie van|date=January 15, 2018|title=MilAIP: information for the aviation sector – Defensie.nl|url=https://english.defensie.nl/topics/milaip-military-aeronautical-information-publication|access-date=2020-12-07|website=english.defensie.nl|language=en-GB}}</ref>
 }}
+'''Gilze-Rijen Air Base''' ({{langx|nl|Vliegbasis Gilze-Rijen}}, {{airport codes|GLZ|EHGR|p=n}}) is a [[military base|military]] [[military airbase|airbase]] in the south of [[Netherlands]]. It is known for having the hottest temperature ever measured in the [[Netherlands]], with a temperature of 40.7&nbsp;°C, on July 25, 2019. It is between the cities of [[Breda]] and [[Tilburg]], which are both in [[North Brabant]]. The airport is mainly, but not exclusively, used as a base for [[Royal Netherlands Air Force]] helicopters. The airfield has two runways, the longest one is complete with an [[instrument landing system]] (ILS) and is {{convert|2779|m|0}} long by {{convert|45|m|0|abbr=on}} wide in the 10/28 direction. The shorter runway (without ILS) is {{convert|1996|m|0|abbr=on}} by {{convert|30|m|0|abbr=on}} in the 02/20 direction.
-{{Refimprove|date=May 2009}}
-'''Gilze-Rijen Air Base''' ({{lang-nl|Vliegbasis Gilze-Rijen}}, {{airport codes|GLZ|EHGR|p=n}}) is a [[military base|military]] [[military airbase|airbase]] in the [[Netherlands]] located between the cities of [[Breda]] and [[Tilburg]], in the [[North Brabant|Noord-Brabant]] province.  It is mainly, but not exclusively used as a base for [[attack helicopter]]s.  The airfield has two runways, the longest, complete with [[instrument landing system]] (ILS) is {{convert|2779|m|0}} long by {{convert|45|m|0|abbr=on}} wide in the 10/28 direction.  The shorter runway (without ILS) is {{convert|1996|m|0|abbr=on}} by {{convert|30|m|0|abbr=on}} in the 02/20 direction.
 ==History==
-Gilze-Rijen Air Base is one of the oldest airfields in the Netherlands, the first aircraft to have landed there being a [[Louis Blériot|Blériot]] in 1910.  The first [[military aircraft]] activity dates back to 1913, when a [[Farman Aviation Works|Farman]] aircraft used the field for military exercises which established it as a military airfield.
+Gilze-Rijen Air Base is the oldest airfield in the Netherlands, the first aircraft to have landed there being a [[Louis Blériot|Blériot]] in 1910. The first [[military aircraft]] activity dates back to 1913, when a [[Farman Aviation Works|Farman]] aircraft used the field for military exercises which established it as a military airfield.
 [[Image:Thunderstreak-P-191.jpg|thumb|left|250px|[[Republic F-84F Thunderstreak]] as a gateguard at Gilze-Rijen Air Base]]
-In 1940, the airfield came under heavy attack from the German [[Luftwaffe]], who later took control of the base and expanded it for their own use.  While in German hands during the [[Second World War]], the field came under frequent attack from allied forces until the liberation of the south of the Netherlands, after which the [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Royal Air Force]] took control of the airfield.
+In 1940, the airfield came under heavy attack from the German [[Luftwaffe]], who later took control of the base and expanded it for their own use.  While in German hands during the [[Second World War]], the field came under frequent attack from allied forces until the liberation of the south of the Netherlands, after which the [[Royal Air Force]] took control of the airfield.
-In 1946, the [[Royal Netherlands Air Force]] (RNLAF) resumed operations from the airfield, using it as a training base for [[aviator|pilot]]s and [[air traffic control]]lers.  In 1962, training activity was suspended, and Gilze-Rijen was reduced to a reserve base for [[bomber aircraft]].  Training activity was resumed in 1967 however.  In 1971, the training activity was suspended again when a fighter squadron was moved to the airfield, which also included a significant upgrade of airport facilities.  Initially the [[Northrop F-5|Northrop NF-5A/B]], and later its replacement, the [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|General Dynamics F-16A/B Fighting Falcon]], were operated from the base up until 1995.  It has 30 [[Hardened Aircraft Shelter]]s (HAS).
+In 1946, the [[Royal Netherlands Air Force]] (RNLAF) resumed operations from the airfield, using it as a training base for pilots and [[air traffic control]]lers. In 1962, training activity was suspended, and Gilze-Rijen was reduced to a reserve base for [[bomber aircraft]]. Training activity was resumed in 1967, mainly using [[Fokker S-11]]s and Piper Cubs. For paratrooper training and group droppings the [[Fokker F27 Friendship]] was in use. In 1971, the training activity was suspended again when a fighter squadron was moved to the airfield, which also included a significant upgrade of airport facilities. Initially the [[Northrop F-5|Northrop NF-5A/B]], and later its replacement, the [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|General Dynamics F-16A/B Fighting Falcon]], were operated from the base up until 1995.  It has 30 [[Hardened Aircraft Shelter]]s (HAS).
-In 1995, as a part of a large scale reorganisation within the Royal Netherlands Air Force, the fighter aircraft were moved from Gilze-Rijen, and instead the base became the home of Bolkow BO-105 helicopters.  In 1998, [[AH-64 Apache]] attack helicopters followed, while the BO-105 helicopters were slowly being phased out.
+In 1995, as a part of a large-scale reorganisation within the Royal Netherlands Air Force, the fighter aircraft were moved from Gilze-Rijen, and the base became the home of [[MBB Bo 105|Bölkow Bo-105]] helicopters instead. In 1998, [[AH-64 Apache]] attack helicopters followed, while the Bo-105 helicopters were slowly being phased out.
-In 2009, helicopter operations from [[Soesterberg Air Base]] were moved to Gilze-Rijen Air Base, which resulted in [[CH-47 Chinook]] and [[Eurocopter AS 532|AS 532U2 Cougar Mk 2]] helicopters being based at the airfield as well as the Alouette III for VIP transport, making Gilze-Rijen the main operating base for military helicopters in the Netherlands.
+In 2009, helicopter operations from [[Soesterberg Air Base]] were moved to Gilze-Rijen Air Base, which resulted in [[CH-47 Chinook]] and [[Eurocopter AS 532|AS 532U2 Cougar Mk 2]] helicopters being based at the airfield as well as the [[Alouette III]] for VIP transport, making Gilze-Rijen the main operating base for military helicopters in the Netherlands.
 ==Stichting Koninklijke Luchtmacht Historische Vlucht==
-The ''Stichting Koninklijke Luchtmacht Historische Vlucht'' (Royal Air Force Historic Flight Foundation) is also located at Gilze-Rijen air base, owning and operating a collection of mainly historic military aircraft.  The currect fleet consists of the following aircraft:
+The ''Stichting Koninklijke Luchtmacht Historische Vlucht'' (Royal Air Force Historic Flight Foundation) is also located at Gilze-Rijen air base, owning and operating a collection of mainly historic military aircraft. The current fleet consists of the following aircraft:
 * [[Taylorcraft Auster|Auster Mk.III]]
 * [[Beechcraft Model 18|Beech T-7 Navigator]]
@@ Line 66: / Line 105: @@
 * [[Piper Cub]] (6x)
 * [[Ryan ST|Ryan ST-M]]
-* [[L-5 Sentinel|Stinson Voyager]]
+* [[Stinson L-5 Sentinel]]
 * [[Supermarine Spitfire|Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX]]
-==Units==
+==Based units==
+Units based at Gilze-Rijen Air Base.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Defensie|first=Ministerie van|date=February 9, 2018|title=Vliegbasis Gilze-Rijen – Koninklijke Luchtmacht – Defensie.nl|url=https://www.defensie.nl/organisatie/luchtmacht/vliegbases-en-luchtmachtonderdelen/gilze-rijen|access-date=2020-12-07|website=www.defensie.nl|language=nl-NL}}</ref>
-*298 Squadron [[CH-47 Chinook|CH-47D/F Chinook]] (includes Vlucht 5, 5 Flight, conducting special operations). Squadron was formed in 1950 at as the successor to 6 ARVA (6e Artillerie Verkennings Afdeling or 6th Artillery Reconnaissance Section), flying Austers.<ref>Scramble, [http://wiki.scramble.nl/index.php/298_Squadron 298 Squadron]</ref> From 1968 it was at Soesterberg flying the SA 316.
-*299 Squadron (Training and Standards)
-*300 Squadron [[Eurocopter Cougar|Eurocopter AS 532U2 Cougar Mk 2]] and [[Aérospatiale Alouette III]]
-*301 Squadron [[AH-64D Apache]]
-*604 Reserve Squadron (partial)
-*670 Security Squadron
-*930 Maintenance Squadron
-*931 Support Squadron
-*932 Logistics Squadron
+=== Royal Netherlands Air Force ===
+'''[[Defence Helicopter Command]]'''
+*No. 298 Squadron – [[CH-47 Chinook|CH-47D/F Chinook]]
+*No. 299 Squadron – Helicopter training and standards
+*No. 300 Squadron – [[Eurocopter Cougar|AS532U2 Cougar Mk 2]]
+*No. 301 Squadron – [[AH-64D Apache]]
+*No. 930 Squadron – Maintenance and Logistics
+*No. 931 Squadron – Base operations and Force Protection
+'''Centre for Man in Aviation'''
+* [[Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape|SERE]] School – Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape training facility
+* OGZ – Operational Healthcare
 ==See also==
 *[[The Netherlands in World War II]]
@@ Line 88: / Line 132: @@
 ==External links==
 {{Commons category|Gilze-Rijen Air Base}}
-*{{nl icon}} [http://www.luchtmacht.nl/gilzerijen/ Luchtmacht.nl - ''Vliegbasis Gilze-Rijen''], official website
+*{{in lang|nl}} [http://www.luchtmacht.nl/gilzerijen/ Luchtmacht.nl – ''Vliegbasis Gilze-Rijen''], official website
-*[http://www.skhv.nl/frameset_en.html Royal Netherlands Air Force Historical Flight Foundation]
+*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080610054754/http://www.skhv.nl/frameset_en.html Royal Netherlands Air Force Historical Flight Foundation]
-*[http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?placesearch=Breda%20-%20Gilze-Rijen%20%28GLZ%20%2F%20EHGR%29&distinct_entry=true Airliners.net - Photos taken at Gilze-Rijen Air Base]
+*[http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?placesearch=Breda%20-%20Gilze-Rijen%20%28GLZ%20%2F%20EHGR%29&distinct_entry=true Airliners.net – Photos taken at Gilze-Rijen Air Base]
 *{{NWS-current|EHGR}}
 *{{ASN|GLZ}}
 {{Airports in the Netherlands}}
+{{authority control}}
 [[Category:Royal Netherlands Air Force bases]]