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Netherlands Naval Aviation (MLD) |
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| Dutch Naval Aviation (MLD) started in 1914, but developed slowly in the inter-war years. At this time, the emphasis was on seaplane operations in the Dutch East Indies where aircraft (Dornier
Wal) enabled patrols of the large arhipelago. The recognised threat from Nazi Germany in the 1930s accelerated development of the air capability and purchase of new equipment.k |
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The German invasion on May 10, 1940 rapidly overwhelmed Dutch resistance and the MLD aircraft were redeployed to France before the Dutch formally surrendered on 15 May. Shortly
after, the MLD was ordered to Britain, where Dutch personnel formed No.320 squadron, RAF Coastal Command, in June 1940. A second squadron, No.321 squadron, was also formed but later merged with No 320. Other MLD personnel served on MAC ships as
Fleet Air Arm 860 and 861 squadrons, flying
Fairey Swordfish.
At this time, efforts were made to strengthen the MLD in the East Indies, but when the Japanese invaded, they withdrew to Australia. RAF 321 squadron was reformed in Ceylon with ex-NEI Catalinas. |
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A Dutch Army/Navy flying school (the Royal Netherlands Military Flying School) was established at Jackson Field, Mississippi, operating lend-lease aircraft. It was finally closed down on 15
February 1944. A Dutch Air Forces Directorate (including the Naval Air Service) was set up in London in the middle of 1944, to prepare for the revival of military aviation in the Netherlands and the final stages of the war against Japan. The
Netherlands were liberated during October 1944. The Directorate later transferred to the Netherlands, but aircrews were still sent to England for flying training. A Directorate of Flying Training was created in 1947 to supervise the training of
both Army and Navy pilots. Valkenburg was established as the main MLD base, with De Kooij as the overhaul and repair base. The light carrier 'Karel Doorman' was obtained on a two year loan from the Royal Navy. |
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A Dutch Army/Navy flying school (the Royal Netherlands Military Flying School) was established at Jackson Field, Mississippi, operating lend-lease aircraft. It was finally
closed down on 15 February 1944. A Dutch Air Forces Directorate (including the Naval Air Service) was set up in London in the middle of 1944, to prepare for the revival of military aviation in the Netherlands and the final stages of the war
against Japan. The Netherlands were liberated during October 1944.The Directorate later transferred to the Netherlands, but aircrews were still sent to England for flying training. A Directorate of Flying Training was created in 1947 to supervise
the training of both Army and Navy pilots. Valkenburg was established as the main MLD base, with De Kooij as the overhaul and repair base. The light carrier 'Karel Doorman' was obtained on a two year loan from the Royal Navy.
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A Directorate of Flying Training was created in 1947 to supervise the training of both Army and Navy pilots. Valkenburg was established as the main MLD base, with De Kooij as
the overhaul and repair base. The light carrier 'Karel Doorman' was obtained on a two year loan from the Royal Navycontinued until 1971. In the late sixties the single aircraft carrier was replaced by a squadron of Wasp helicopters operated from
a fleet of new anti-submarine frigates. Since 1971 MLD pilots have been trained initially at the Government flying school (Rijks Luchtvaartschool) at Eelde Airport, Groningen, then to the KLU (Air Force) for military and helicopter training,
followed by maritime training with 2 squadron MOTU (for fixed wing pilots) or at De Kooij (for helicopter pilots).
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Economic conditions during the 1970's forced defence cuts reducing the MLD to just four squadrons and the postponing of a replacement for the Neptunes. The Lynx UH-14A
replaced the AB.204B after joint training with Royal Navy's 700L squadron in the winter of 1976-77. On 5 October 1978 the Marine Luchtvaart School (Marine Aviation Training School) was formally opened. This organisation performs technical
training for ground and air crews. In 1990 a re-organisation led to the pooling of squadron aircraft into centrally serviced MARPAT and HELIGRP groups. With the withdrawal of the Neptune, two Air Force owned F-27MPAs fly from the Netherlands
Antilles with MLD systems operators and under naval tactical control |
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MARPAT (Decommissioned)
In the past, the Navy Aviation Service was divided in the Group Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MARPAT) and the Group Maritime Helicopters (MARHELI). However, since the 1st of januari 2005, MARPAT
was decommissioned due to financial cutbacks. On the 14th of januari 2005 both 320 squadron and 321 squadron were decommissioned. Eight Lockheed P-3CII Orion patrol aircraft were sold to Germany and the remaining five to Portugal. The German and
Portuguese Navy personel have been trained by the personnel of the Naval Air Station Valkenburg to operate the Orions from 2005 until mid 2006. After that, Naval Air Station Valkenburg was closed down. |
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