Established during Nazi occupation, the Volkel Airbase is a military airfield operated by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF). It hosts the RNLAF’s 312 and 313 Squadrons which both operate the F-35A Lightning II. The fifth-generation fighter replacing the F-16 as NATO’s primary platform for delivering tactical nuclear weapons under the alliance’s nuclear sharing agreement. WikiLeaks first revealed in 2010 that the U.S. stores nuclear weapons at Volkel—widely described as “one of the worst-kept Dutch military secrets.” Former Dutch Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers confirmed it in a 2013 National Geographic documentary, and a 2019 draft report for the NATO Parliamentary Assembly mentioned it again. [source]
Today, the Dutch Ministry of Defence proudly makes clear that Volkel and the RNLAF play a core role in NATO nuclear capabilities. In May 2024 the ministry announced that the Dutch transition from the F-16 to the F-35 in the nuclear strike role “reaffirms the Netherlands’ long-term commitment to the Alliance’s nuclear deterrence.” With increased Russian nuclear posturing, Volkel is highly strategically significant as one of few European bases hosting US nuclear weapons. Furthermore, the base recently underwent major upgrades and co-hosted the 2024 Steadfast Noon nuclear exercise. [source, source].
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1 History of Volkel Airbase
1.1 Origins
In August 1940, under German occupation, three unpaved runways and several hangars were built where Volkel now stands. Initially, the Luftwaffe used these runways as a “diversion field”, somewhere to land whilst the Gilze-Rijen and Eindhoven bases were under attack. By 1943, the Germans were using the airfield permanently with fighter aircraft stationed there. In September 1944, the Allies carried out heavy bombardments on the airfield under Operation Market Garden. The Allies took over and used the airfield as a landing site until September 1945. At the end of the war, the Dutch air force would have to be completely rebuilt and Volkel was repurposed as a training ground for Dutch marines before deployment to the Dutch colonies.
In 1951, the Royal Netherlands Air Force designated Volkel Airbase the “First Tactical Airbase” in the Netherlands, establishing four flying squadrons, including the 312 Squadron. These squadrons would train using the Lockheed T-33 and fly the Republic F-84 aircraft. Post 1965, the RNLAF flew the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, the first jet fighter to fly faster than the speed of sound, which the F-16 replaced in 1982. Aircraft shelters and command bunkers were built in the early 1970s. The first RNLAF squadron to transition from the F-16 to F-35A was the 322 Squadron at Leeuwarden Airbase before the 313 Squadron at Volkel followed suit in 2022. [source]
1.2 Volkel Airbase and NATO Nuclear Modernisation
Volkel and other nuclear bases in Europe underwent major upgrades over 2024 as part of NATO’s nuclear modernisation programme. Specifically, this involved enhancements to infrastructure like the underground vaults storing US nuclear weapons, underground cabling, nuclear command control systems, and other facilities for the operation of the F-35A aircraft. Multiple bases also constructed a large tarmacked area for C-17A nuclear transport aircraft next to the presumed nuclear weapons storage area. Volkel went one step further, building a large wall in front of a nearby parking area frequented by aircraft enthusiasts. A base spokesperson stated, “We believe it is important that personnel can work safely and undisturbed. The visibility-restricting measures make it difficult to photograph operational equipment and airbase personnel”. In May 2024, the RNLAF announced its transition from the F-16 to the F-35 for its nuclear strike role, making the Netherlands the first European country to do so. [source, source, source]
2 Units and Symbols
2.1 312 Squadron
The RNLAF founded 312 squadron in 1951 alongside Volkel Airbase. The squadron is tasked with both air support and air defense tasks according to the swing-role principle. In practice, this means that the squadron can quickly switch between these two tasks. As of October 2024 the 312 Squadron has operated the F-35A. Their motto, translated from Latin, means “Bold by Design.” [source]
2.2 313 Squadron
Like the 312 Squadron, 313 Squadron operates the F-35A. However, unlike 312, the RNLAF specifically tasks 313 Squadron with performing its nuclear attack role. 313 Squadron is a member of the NATO Tigers, a symbolic group of aviation units from NATO countries. These units have an annual NATO Tiger during which the units engage in live-flying exercises. The RNLAF has disbanded and re-established 313 Squadron multiple times. In 2003, it shut down Twenthe Airbase—where the unit was based—due to budget cuts, then reformed the unit at Volkel in 2005. Their motto, translated from Dutch, means “Sharp-toothed.” [source, source]
2.3 640 Squadron
640 Squadron is tasked with the physical security of Volkel Airbase. In addition, they perform air traffic control and meteorology functions. Their motto, translated from Dutch, means “Freedom Demands Vigilance.” [source]
2.4 901 Squadron
901 Squadron provides logistics support to the entire RNLAF. All equipment for exercises or deployments (parts, fuel, ammunition, clothing, tools, etc) is therefore collected at Volkel Airbase before being transported to the deployment area. Their motto in Dutch translates to “Dynamics in Logistics.” [source]
2.5 703rd Munitions Support Squadron
Volkel Airbase also hosts the 703rd Munitions Support Squadron, a geographically separated unit of the 52nd Munitions Maintenance Group at Spangdahlem Airbase in Germany. They are responsible for storing and maintaining US munitions at Volkel Airbase, including the B61-12 nuclear bomb. [source]
3 Steadfast Noon
NATO conducts an annual tactical nuclear weapons exercise in Europe called Steadfast Noon. The exercise displays NATO’s capabilities and acts as a nuclear deterrent. According to NATO’s Washington Summit declaration, “the fundamental purpose of NATO’s nuclear capability is to preserve peace, prevent coercion and deter aggression,” and “as long as nuclear weapons exist, NATO will remain a nuclear alliance”. In October 2024, Belgium and the Netherlands co-hosted Steadfast Noon. The Netherlands hosted its portion of the exercise at Volkel Airbase. The two-week-long exercise involved over 60 aircraft and 2,000 personnel. Especially noteworthy in the 2024 Steadfast Noon exercise was the RNLAF’s F-35A jets having been declared nuclear-capable months earlier. [source, source]
While Steadfast Noon is an annual exercise, the context of the 2024 exercise and Volkel Airbase’s role within it cannot be ignored. Throughout the invasion of Ukraine, Moscow has repeatedly made threats regarding the use of nuclear weapons. Moreover, in 2024, Russia held several nuclear weapons exercises and updated its nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for nuclear use. In ceasefire negotiations, Moscow demanded “security guarantees” against supposed threats from NATO, including the demand that the US refrains from deploying nuclear missiles outside of US territory. [source, source, source]
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated, “Steadfast Noon is an important test of the Alliance’s nuclear deterrent and sends a clear message to any adversary that NATO will protect and defend all Allies”. In light of rising nuclear tensions, Volkel’s major role in the 2024 Steadfast Noon exercise further affirms the base’s strategic significance regarding NATO nuclear deterrence. [source]
4 Conclusion
Volkel Airbase serves as a cornerstone of NATO nuclear deterrence. As one of only a handful of European bases believed to host US nuclear weapons, its strategic value has only increased during heightened nuclear rhetoric from Moscow and the deployment of Russian nuclear weapons to Belarus. Furthermore, infrastructure upgrades, the transition to F-35A aircraft, and Volkel’s role in the 2024 Steadfast Noon exercise underscore the base’s integral role in demonstrating NATO’s nuclear capabilities and resolve. In today’s evolving security environment, Volkel is a critical operational asset and a symbol of NATO’s commitment to deterrence. [source]
