Airbases/Stations: De Peel AB

De Peel AB is located in the southeast of the Netherlands, between Helmond and Venray and is home to the Groep Geleide Wapens (GGW - Group Guided Weapons). The GGW consists of 800, 802, and 803 squadrons tasked with the ground-based air defense. The GGW was based at the De Peel AB in 1994 when the group was withdrawn from launch bases in Germany. The GGW recently disbanded 801 and 804 squadron and retired the units' HAWK missiles. Before this important change, the base counted more than 1000 personnel. The base provides facilities to accomodate and maintain the large number of transport and support vehicles provided by 951 squadron to deploy the GGW.
The GGW exercises at De Peel only consist of simulated launches. For live firing the squadrons regularly deploy to the United States or Crete.
Although no flying squadrons is permanently based at De Peel, there is a hardend runway and infrastructure to support flying operations. The base also supports local hobby clubs, the most important being the soaring (glider) club for students.

Related Links

• Koninklijke Luchtmacht: Bases: De Peel (dutch)
• 951 Sqn, De Peel, Motor Transport groep (dutch)