SOESTERBERG AFB

**Soesterberg Air Base** (AFB), located in the Netherlands, has a distinguished military history dating back to its establishment in 1913 as one of the oldest airfields in the country. During World War II, it was occupied and utilized by the German Luftwaffe, and after liberation, it returned to Dutch control. In 1954, Soesterberg became a vital NATO installation, hosting the United States Air Force's 32nd Fighter Squadron, which served as a key component of Western European air defense during the Cold War. The base remained active in various roles until its closure in 2008, leaving a legacy of transatlantic cooperation and defense.