Leeuwarden
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ICAO Code | EHLW/LWR |
Last Validated | Jan 2013 |
City | Leeuwarden |
Position | 53°13'43"N 005°45'38"E |
Runway(s) | 05/23, 09/27 |
Elevation | 4 ft |
General
Leeuwarden is the home base of one remaining squadron F-16s. There used to be two, plus the SAR flight with bright yellow-coloured Agusta Bell 412s. Unfortunately, two out of three units have fallen to budgetary restrictions. Leeuwarden is a good base to spot at, as there is plenty of traffic and some good places to take pictures. Best times are of course during Frisian Flag and during the Fighter Weapon Instructor Training exercises. All this has one disadvantage: many spots are on farmers' lands, and they obviously do not appreciate disturbance to their business. So, stay out of all the fields around the base, people may really get angry if they see you on their property.
Layout
The base has two runways, the main one is southwest-northeast (redesignated 05/23 from 06/24 mid October 2013) and the secondary and shorter one is east-west. There is a taxiway all around the base with dispersals and shelters along it.
Getting There
You can take a couple of buses from the main railway station in Leeuwarden. Take a bus to Jelsum for spots 1 to 3 and to Marssum for spots 4 and 5.
Around the Airport

Morning missions give the best light for landing shots at spot 4.
(Erik Sleutelberg)

F-16 taxiing via 27 towards runway 23, seen from spot 2. (Ben Uffen)
Frequencies
362.525 | Ground |
344.850 / 120.705 | Tower |
122.100 | Arrival / Director / RAPCON North |
337.000 / 132.030 | Arrival / RAPCON North |
339.700 | Arrival |
328.025 / 241.625 | 322sq / 323sq Operations |
363.200 / 291.175 | WingOps OCC / 303sq Ops |
132.350 / 264.325 | Dutch Mil (Outside tower hours) |
Preserved
98+62/'56 red' | Su-20, on base near operations building, in Soviet colours |
D-8318 | F-104G, inside gate on pole |
I-320 | Meteor T7, inside gate, temporarily stored |
J-228 | F-16A, inside gate, on pole |
N-138 | Hunter F4, inside gate on pole |
'804' | MiG-21SPS on base near operations building. Ex 22+40 |
More Info
AGL | The homepage of the Aviation Group Leeuwarden |
Order of Battle Netherlands
Royal Netherlands Air Force/Navy |
Royal Netherlands Air Force Past |