In 1954, the Netherlands government agreed, at the instigation of NATO, to accept the offer of the American government to deploy a squadron of American military planes. The task of the squadron would be to provide a contribution to Dutch air defense, within the context of NATO. The 512th Fighter Day Squadron, stationed at RAF Manston in Great Britain, was detailed by the Headquarters of the USAFE for transference to the Netherlands. Its new home base would be Soesterberg Air Base. The first group of American airmen, compromised quartermasters and air traffic controllers, arrived at Soesterberg on 6 October 1954.
In September 1955, the 512th moved to RAF Bentwaters, England without personnel or equipment. Its 28 North American F-86F Sabres, personnel and equipment however stayed in the Netherlands and were assigned to the newly activated 32nd Fighter-Day Squadron (32nd FDS). The squadron designation was chosen by the USAF in light of the World War II ties by the squadron to the defense of Dutch possessions in the Caribbean, giving the unit a historical link to the Netherlands. The 32nd was assigned to the 36th Fighter-Day Wing at Bitburg Air Base in West Germany, its historical parent unit at the time of its activation. On 15 August 1956, the 32nd FDS began to receive the North American F-100C Super Sabre.
On 18 July 1958, the USAFE redesignated the unit as the 32nd Tactical Fighter Squadron (32nd TFS), as part of the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing as a result of an Air Force–wide redesignation of tactical air units. In 1959, the 32nd received the signature “Royal”, the crown and wreath of the Dutch royal family (the House of Orange) were added to the emblem, giving it its unique look. This unique honor was granted in recognition of the unit’s contribution to the defense of The Netherlands and graphically illustrates the 32nd’s close ties with the Royal Netherlands Air Force. This designation was brief, however, and the squadron became the 32nd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (32nd FIS) a year later.
On 17 December 1960, the Wolfhounds received their first eight Convair F-102A Delta Daggers. On 1 November 1968, the USAF transferred the 32nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron to the command of Seventeenth Air Force stationed at Sembach Air Base, Germany
On 1 July 1969, the USAF redesignated the unit as the 32nd Tactical Fighter Squadron (32nd TFS) and reequipped the squadron with the McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II, with the first two (68-0401 and 68-0405) arriving on 6 August 1969. On 14 November 1969, the 32nd TFS lost their first Phantom when F-4E 68-0422 crashed on approach to Aviano Air Base, Italy, after running out of fuel – both crew ejected safely. On 21 June 1971, F-4E 68-0433 crashed near Maurik, the Netherlands, killing both the crew after the pilot over corrected when trying to avoid a flock of birds. In March 1976, the Wolfhounds began receiving newer FY1974 F-4Es to replace their older models.
On 22 August 1977, F-4E Phantom II 74-1051 crashed into the North Sea near Terschelling after suffering an engine flame out, killing both crew members. On 19 October 1977, the USAF decided that the 32nd would receive the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle as part of Project Ready Eagle. Throughout 1978, the majority of Phantoms were flown to Ramstein Air Base in West Germany where they were assigned to the 86th Tactical Fighter Wing, while others went to Spangdahlem Air Base and Hahn Air Base. While the Wolfhounds underwent conversion from the Phantom, the 71st Tactical Fighter Squadron and 94th Tactical Fighter Squadron deployed to Soesterberg from 13 September to 20 December 1978 as part of Coronet Sandpiper to fulfil NATO’s air defence commitment. The first two F-15As (77-0074 and 77-0075) for the 32nd TFS arrived at Soesterberg on 13 September 1978, with the last jets arriving on 17 January 1979.[13] The 32nd TFS began receiving the more advanced F-15C in June 1980.
Between 7 and 23 June 1982, the Wolfhounds hosted the 71st TFS who had deployed to Soesterberg as part of Coronet Sidewinder II. The 32nd TFS hosted the 71st TFS once more between 1 and 29 June 1984 as part of Coronet Hawk. The 9th Tactical Fighter Squadron deployed to Soesterberg between 20 May and 20 June 1986 under Coronet Apache.
On 4 July 1989, a pair of 32nd TFS F-15Cs scrambled to intercept what turned out to be an unoccupied Soviet Air Forces MiG-23M ‘Flogger’ which had flown on autopilot from its base in Bagicz, Poland, to West Germany after the pilot had ejected. The pilots were instructed to shoot it down over the North Sea however the MiG-23 ran out of fuel and crashed into a house in Kortrijk, Belgium, killing an occupant. In 1989, the Dutch government allowed USAF to expand its headquarters unit at Soesterberg from squadron to group. The 32nd Tactical Fighter Group was activated at Soesterberg on 16 November 1989 and took over functions of old 32nd Squadron headquarters element and support flights (later squadrons) received support responsibilities.
On 25 April 1990, F-15C 81-0049 crashed into the North Sea after its engines caught fire – the pilot ejected safely. The 32nd TFS hosted the 60th Tactical Fighter Squadron between 31 May and 25 June 1990 as part of Coronet Trigger.
During the 1991 Gulf War, after more than forty years, the Wolfhounds saw action again. Aircrew and ground support personnel were deployed, during the Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM, August 1990 until March 1991, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. On 28 January 1991, Capt. “Muddy” Watrous shot down an Iraqi Air Force MiG-23 ‘Flogger’, the Wolfhounds’ only victory of the war. After the war, they continued their air activities in theatre as a part of Operation Provide Comfort from April 1991 until April 1993. Headquarters USAFE replaced the 32nd Fighter Group on 1 July with the 632nd Air Base Squadron; its duty was to complete the closure actions.
In late 1991 and throughout 1992, the Wolfhounds began re-equipping with the F-15A/B. On 1 November 1991, the unit was redesignated the 32nd Fighter Squadron (32nd FS). Between 9 June and 1 July 1992, the 60th Fighter Squadron deployed to Soesterberg as part of Coronet Volunteer. On 19 April 1994, the group furled its colors in formal ceremonies attended by members of the royal family and the American ambassador. The 32nd Group’s subordinate units were inactivated on 1 July and the group on 1 October 1994.
32nd Tactical Fighter Squadron Photos
