Era of the 32nd Soesterberg Wolfhounds Eagle

On 19 October 1977 the USAF decided that the 32nd squadron would receive the McDonnell-Douglas F-15 Eagle. In the spring of 1978 the first group of squadron aircrews travelled to Luke Air Force Base for the conversion training. The squadron’s maintenance personnel received training at Soesterberg. This training was available because the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) from Bitburg Air Base loaned two F-15´s to the squadron. On 13 September 1978 the 71st Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS) from Langley Air Force Base deployed, with 20 F-15 Eagles, to Soesterberg on what was called "Operation Coronet Sandpiper". The task of the 71st TFS was to perform the QRA missions while the Wolfhounds were transitioned to heir new Eagles. In September en October of that year the 32nd transferred their Phantoms to the 86th TFW at Ramstein AB, Germany and the 52nd TFS at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. In October the 94th TFS replaced the 71st at Soesterberg and continued alert duty responsibilities. On 20 December that year the 94th rotated its personnel and planes back to Langley Air Base. The Wolfhounds were at that time fully operational and had the disposal of 20 F-15A and F-15B aircraft.

The 32nd TFS took advantage of every possibility to integrate and operate alongside other air forces belonging to the NATO alliance. One way of accomplishing this was participating in squadron exchanges. During such activities, the squadron exchanged aircrews and aircraft with other NATO squadrons. In July 1979 the 32nd TFS made a squadron exchange with the Royal Air Force’s 43 squadron and its Phantoms stationed at RAF Leuchars.

After flying the F15A and F-15B for just 18 months, the USAF continued their tradition to send their best aircraft to the Wolfhounds and exchanged these models for the new F-15C and F-15D Eagles. In May 1980 the squadron flew five of its Eagles to Eglin Air Force Base to participate in the weapons systems evaluation program. While at Eglin the united swapped its aircraft for the newer models on 30 May 1980. These planes arrived at Soesterberg on 13 June, making the Wolfhounds the first unit in the USAFE to e equipped with the latest versions of the Eagle. The 32nd completed this swap out on 25 November 1980. At that time the squadron possessed 18 F-15C´s and two F-15D´s fighter aircraft. In a later phase (1992-1994) the Wolfhounds recieved the MISP (Multi Stage Improvement Programm) version of the F15A/B's.

In 1983 the squadron exchanged aircrews and planes with the Belgian Air Force its 349 squadron. The 32nd deployed four F-15's to Beauvechain Air Base, Belgium while the 349 squadron sent F-16's to Soesterberg. The squadron flew 33 DACT training missions against the Belgium unit while deployed to Beauvechain. May 24 till June 28, 1985 the squadron deployed six F-15's to Decimomannu Air Base, on the island of Sardinia. Italy to participate in ACMI and DART training. Trough the years the squadron made frequent trips to Sardinia to accomplish this type of training. The 32nd became involved in the NATO F-16 Fighter Weapons Instructor Training Course. The squadron supported this course by flying dissimilar air combats tactics training missions against the F-16 Falcons of the Belgian, Dutch, Norwegian and Danish Air Forces. Besides this support to other NATO air forces, the Wolfhounds provided special support to the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s development of its F-16 Falcon program.

In 1989 the Dutch government allowed USAF to upgrade its headquarters unit at Soesterberg AB from squadron to group status. The story goes that the USAF wanted to change the 32nd into the 78th too but that the Dutch didn't allow another number as not to stir up the people who were against the American presence in the Netherlands. That is why the 32nd TFG came into being. The group was activated at Soesterberg on 16 November 1989 and took over functions of old 32TFS headquarters element and support squadrons received responsibilities previously assigned to 32 TFS detachments.

The 32 TFG supported Soviet intermediate range nuclear forces (INF) verification inspections at Woensdrecht Air Base, the Netherlands after senate ratification of INF treaty and USAFE inactivation of 486th Tactical Missile Wing and Ground Launched Cruise Missile (GLCM). Royal Netherlands Air Force assumed support responsibilities in July 1989. The same year the group supported President George Bush's visit to the Netherlands.

During the 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 January 28th 1991 one of the team members actually killed an Iraqi MiG. After the War they continued their air activities in theatre as a part of operation PROVIDE COMFORT from April 1991 until April 1993.

With the end of the Cold War a major force draw-down occurred in Europe, the USAF reduced its fighter force structure. These changes affected the 32nd as part of the draw-down. During the fall of 1993, several F-15 were transitioned to the 101 FS, stationed at Otis ANGB, Massachusetts. January 13, 1994 the last three F-15 Eagles left took off from Soesterberg for the last time and headed out to Otis ANGB.

Headquarters USAFE replaced the 32nd Fighter group on July 1 by the 632d Air Base Squadron. The squadron its duty was to complete the closure actions. The 32nd group its subordinate units were inactivated on July 1 and the group on October 1, 1994. On April 19 the group furled its colours in formal ceremonies attended by members of the Royal family and the American ambassador. Only one Eagle was lost during their service-period that was on April 25th 1990 the pilot bailed-out safely. Only one Eagle was lost during their service-period that was on April 25th 1990 the pilot bailed-out safely. Continue to Air Operations span.