Visit Gilze-Rijen Air Base
Description
The base was put into service under the name Molenheide on 11 August 1913 by Lt W.Versteeg.
During the May days of 1940, the occupation consists of a number of Fokker CX and Koolhoven FK-15 aircraft.
On 16 May 1940, the German Army's Luftwaffe takes over the base and expands it into a Luftwaffe Fliegerhort that was modern for the time.
In 1946, Gilze-Rijen Air Base, then part of the Netherlands Air Force, becomes an active base for the training of pilots and air traffic controllers.
In 1972, the base becomes an operational field for jet aircraft with 2 runways, aircraft shelters, command bunkers and a modern control tower.
With the arrival of the Alouette-III helicopters and, in 1996, of the Apaches, a start was made on the transformation of Gilze-Rijen as a base for the Defence Heilkopter Command (DHC). This DHC will bring together the Alouette-III, the AH-64D Apache (combat helicopter), the AS 532 U2 Cougar MK II (transport helicopter), the Chinook (transport helicopter) and, in the longer term, the Navy helicopters. For the formation of the DHC, the necessary building and infrastructure modifications were also carried out. These have been prepared and supervised by the Defence Real Estate Service (DVD) Directorate South.
The programme will be provided by the Royal Air Force and the Defence Real Estate Service Directorate South.
Location
Gilze-Rijen Air Base, Rijksweg 121
Gilze-Rijen
Organiser
Region South
Name and contact details for information
Ing. A. (Ton) Stalpers