AviationNews – The Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force has announced a rare training exercise involving four F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters and a Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Scheduled for January 27 and 28, 2026, the operation aims to test the military’s ability to maintain high-tempo flight operations from a primary civilian hub during a simulated crisis.
The two-day drill marks a strategic shift for the Dutch Ministry of Defence, which is seeking to diversify its operational footprints beyond traditional military airfields like Volkel and Leeuwarden. By integrating with one of Europe’s busiest commercial airports, the RNLAF and the Multinational MRTT Unit (MMU) are evaluating the resilience of national infrastructure. The exercise is designed to ensure that vital defense and transport processes can continue unimpeded, even if established military bases are compromised or require reinforcement.
Technically, the exercise requires precise coordination between military pilots and Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL). The F-35 jets will practice specific arrival and departure procedures within a dense civilian environment, while the MRTT tanker—a modified Airbus A330—will demonstrate the logistical requirements of supporting advanced fighters from a commercial gate. These maneuvers allow the air force to validate “Agile Combat Employment” concepts, which focus on dispersing assets to increase survivability and unpredictability in modern conflict scenarios.
“It is essential for our national security that the air force is not solely dependent on a few fixed locations,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence explained. “By training at Schiphol, we ensure that our crews and technical personnel are prepared to operate effectively from any available runway, reinforcing the joint capacity of our military and civilian partners to keep the Netherlands safe.”
This move signals a future where civil-military cooperation becomes a standard pillar of European defense strategy. While the deployment is temporary, the data gathered will inform how Schiphol can serve as a strategic reserve in the coming years. For the aviation community and spotters, the event provides a rare daytime glimpse of the world’s most advanced stealth fighters operating alongside commercial airliners.
In summary, the upcoming deployment of F-35s to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol serves as a vital stress test for national readiness. The successful integration of these fifth-generation assets into a major transport hub underscores the growing necessity for flexible, dual-use infrastructure in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.
