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#1839 312 Sqn, F-35A Lighting II print

312 Sqn, F-35A Lighting II print
Purchased products will not feature the Squadron Prints watermark
£10.00 €11.52 $13.49
43.8 cm x 29.2 cm
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Print
F-35A Lightning II
F-039
312 Sqn
Volkel Air Base, The Netherlands
Netherlands - Air Force
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Description

Squadron Prints Lithograph No. 1839 - F-039, F-35A Lighting II, 312 Squadron, Volkel Air Bae, The Netherlands.

The 312 Fighter Squadron was formed in 1951 as part of the Royal Netherlands Tactical Air Force and a year later the first Republic F-84E Thunderjets arrived. In 1956 the unit converted to Republic F-84F Thunderstreaks. From 1965 onwards the squadron entered the supersonic era with the Lockheed F-104G Starfighters. In 1985 the unit received their first 4th Gen F-16 Fighting Falcons. These ‘Vipers’ flew operational for 40 consecutive years. In 1990s enforcing the Balkan No-Fly zone over Yugoslavia during Deny Flight and Deliberate Force. As off 2002 312SQN provided air support in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Afghanistan. In 2011 the unit executed Defensive Counter Air (DCA) Missions in Libya during operation Unified Protector (OUP). In 2014, during Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), the final 4th Gen kinetic fights took place against ISIS (Daesh) in Iraq and Syria. 312SQN retired their 24 F-16’s. The last 312 tails were delivered to Ukraine in early April 2024. Just after Air Policing defending NATO’s Eastern Flank immediately after Russia occupied Ukraine. In October 2024 the squadron received its first Lockheed F-35As Lighting IIs. The conversion to the 5th Gen realm marked the beginning of a new era in capabilities in the history of the Squadron. The F-35 plays a pivotal role in the Royal Netherlands Air and Space force (CLRS). Especially since the F-35A was nuclear certified on 12 October 2023, making the Dutch the first partner to transition the nuclear Dual Capability (DCA) to the F-35A. In the end of 2025 the F-35 AN39 marked the first operational combat engagement in NATO Airspace ever. Downing Russian drones during operation Vigilant Lightning in Poland. The fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighter aircraft combines unparalleled fusion with supersonic speed and agility. Its stealth features, advanced avionics and networked capabilities make it a force multiplier on the modern battlefield. The 312 Fighter Squadron delivers Safe, Secure, Reliable and Effective 5th Gen air dominance, anytime and anywhere. Together with its NATO allies and integrated with other military services, the squadron conducts operations in war as well as other crisis situations. It remains fully mission capable to strategically deter and prevail against peer and near-peer adversaries, ensuring air superiority and rapid response in defense and contingency operations. The two crossed golden swords in the squadrons emblem represent the aggressiveness and striking power of the squadron, it’s strength. The red lightning bolt running through the swords symbolizes the speed at which the unit can strike, it’s swiftness in action. The squadrons motto ‘Audax cum Consilio’ means ‘Moedig en Beleidvol’. This motto symbolizes the qualities of the Squadron: Acting bravely but with intelligence and prudence. The unit is protected by a mascot in the shape of a British Bulldog bearing the tactical Bonzo. For this reason all 312 personnel are referred to as Sons and Daughters of Bonzo.

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