Exercise Tests F-35A KC-30M Dispersal From Schiphol
The Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force began training F-35A Lightning II fighters and a KC-30M tanker-transport at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport as part of a two-day Agile Combat Employment exercise. The training is meant to assess how advanced jets and support aircraft can operate from a busy civilian hub in a crisis or wartime scenario.
Dutch officials said four F-35As flew in and out of Schiphol while a KC-30M provided support. The presence of military aircraft at one of Europe’s busiest civilian airports is rare and part of broader efforts to expand operational flexibility beyond fixed bases.
Civilian Airport Flight Operations
The exercise was planned so that civil passenger flights maintained priority. Dutch Air Force leaders stressed safety and coordination with air traffic control as core goals, noting that regular passengers should see little impact even as military movements occurred alongside roughly 1,100 daily commercial flights.
Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Smaal, commander of 322 Squadron based at Leeuwarden Air Base, said the training focused on conducting military flight operations safely in a busy commercial environment. Missions included sorties over the North Sea followed by returns to Schiphol.
NATO Doctrine and ACE Context
The operation is aligned with NATO’s Agile Combat Employment doctrine, an approach aimed at spreading aircraft across more locations to reduce vulnerability and maintain combat effectiveness, even when primary bases are compromised. ACE emphasizes flexibility in deployment, rapid repositioning, and use of non-traditional fields.
Officials noted that Schiphol’s selection offered a demanding test case given its high volume of civilian traffic and complex logistics. The exercise also included ground handling, refueling and coordination with civilian partners.
Strategic Implications
The Netherlands has been increasing activities to strengthen NATO readiness. Recent Dutch F-35 operations have included dispersed runway training exercises and deployments abroad. Expansion of operational skills like dispersed basing supports alliance deterrence and ensures forces can operate from a wider set of locations if needed.
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