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313 Squadron Scherpgetand (Sherp-toothed)
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Callsign : |
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Nato Tiger Association status : full member |
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Officially, 313 Squadron started in 1952 at Volkel Air Base with Lockheed T-33A "T-Bird" aircraft. It has its origins in a fighter pilot school at Twenthe Air Base. There, the Dutch fighter pilots who had been trained by the British Royal Air Force received additional training. The unit flew these aircraft until 1 January 1959. 313 Squadron was then disbanded. |
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On 12 October 1972, the unit was re-established at Twenthe airbase. From that moment on, the squadron was equipped with the Lockheed NF-5A and NF-5B "Freedom Fighter". The unit would fly this type of aircraft for 18 years. At that time, the squadron emblem consisted of the yellow bird in the blue circle. |
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Between 1988 and 1990, the unit slowly switched to the General Dynamics F-16 "Fghting Falcon". With the introduction of the F-16 in 1988, the squadron lost its training task. It was given operational status on 1 April 1990. A new tast also called for a new squadron badge. |
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The emblem with an eagle in ‘elevated flight from a runway’ was therefore replaced by a tiger’s head. When the new emblem of 313 Squadron is unveiled on 25 January 1989, a long-cherished wish comes true: the Royal Netherlands Air Force finally has a ‘Tiger’ squadron. The battle cry of the unit at that time became "Scherpgetand" (sharp-toothed). This badge meant it could become a member of the NATO Tiger Association. The official establishment is accompanied by the purchase of a Siberian tiger from the East Berlin Zoo named ‘Felcun’, which is housed in Dierenpark Emmen, NL. 313 Squadron can be deployed for both air support and air defense tasks according to the so-called swing-role principle. This means that the squadron can quickly switch between these 2 tasks. In 2003, it was decided that Twenthe Air Base had to close due to budget cuts. Early 2005, it was announced that 313 Squadron would make a fresh start at Volkel Air Base. |
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In 2020 313 Squadron transferred all its F-16s to 312 Squadron. Since 2022, 313 Squadron has been the first RNlAF squadron to operate with the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II. |
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(all aircraft are to scale, not all drawings show an aircraft in 313 markings) |
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Aircraft
Lockheed T-33A T-Bird
Lockheed NF-5A Freedom Fighter
Lockheed NF-5B Freedom Fighter
General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II |
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 313 Squadron (offical, pre-F16) |
 313 Squadron (unofficial, pre-F16) |
 313 Squadron |
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 Twenthe Air Base |
 Volkel Air Base |
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text & picture sources : own collection & library + the world wide web / No copyright infringement intended : drawings, photos, etc. belong to the rightful owners. |
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