 Soesterberg
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1913 to present | | Location: | 52 8 N - 5 16 E | | Cramped between the city of Zeist and th | | ICAO: EHSB | IATA: | Elevation: 88 feet |
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| History of this Base/Heliport: | | |
Soesterberg is the very first air base of the Dutch Air Force. It was opened in 1913. After the War Soesterberg became home of the American 32 FIS (later 32 TFS) flying F-86 Sabre, F-100 Super Sabre, F-101 Delta Dagger, F-4 Phantom and F-15 Eagle.
Helicopter flying started in 1955 with the arrival of Hiller H-23B Raven. From 1964 the Alouette III was introduced and in 1975 the Bolbow Bo-105 was added to the inventory. The H-23B was withdrawn in 1965 and the Bo-105 were transferred to Deelen in 1979.
In 1996 the first CH-47D and AS-532 Cougar were introduced making the mainstay of the Alouette III leaving service. Bus as the Alouette is very chaep to operate, a few are still on strength today for Royal VIP flights.  |