Arrival of the 32nd Wolfhounds in Holland

In 1954 the Dutch government agreed, at the instigation of NATO, to accept the offer of the American government to deploy a squadron of American military planes in the Netherlands. 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 (FDS), stationed at Manston Airfield in Great Britain, was detailed by the Headquarters of the USAFE for transference to the Netherlands. Its new home base would be Soesterberg AB. The first group of American airmen, compromised quartermasters and air traffic controllers, arrived at Soesterberg on 6th October 1954. They had the task of preparing for the squadron its arrival. In the time period of 1 to 5 November about 160 Americans and their equipment arrived at the base.

The first F-86 Sabre which touched Dutch soil was flown by that time commander of the 512th Lt. Col. F.M. Haynie. Officially the arrival was dated 16th November 1954. The flight from England to Soesterberg took about 26 minutes. He was welcomed by officers of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The sabres of the 512th did not make a flight-of-honor for the invited guests because of poor weather conditions.

During the aircraft arrival ceremony, which was attended by the Dutch Minister of War, Chief of Staff for the RNLAF, Soesterberg Air Base Commander, Commander in Chief of the United States Air Force in Europe and the US Ambassador to the Netherlands, an agreement was signed which defined the tasks and duties of the Americans.The squadron became the first American squadron, which operated under the authority of another country. The American side of the base received the name "Camp New Amsterdam" as a reminder to the first Dutch colony in America, New Amsterdam present day known as New York.

The first few months in the Netherlands were used by the squadron for settling down. In July 1955 the 512th reached full operational status, from that moment one the unit was ready to be put in action. It was a tradition in the U.S. Air Force that a squadron, which was stationed in a foreign country, must have a historical tie with it. Because the 512th had no historical ties with the Netherlands the Americans started a search for their traditional historical link between the two countries. It was found in the 32nd this inactivated World War II squadron had actually never served in Holland, but because it had been stationed on the Dutch islands Curacao and Aruba during the Second World War it was the perfect squadron to continue the historical ties.

In September 1955 the designation of the 512th was transferred to RAF Station Bentwaters in England. Its aircraft, personnel and equipment however stayed in the Netherlands and made up the newly activated 32nd Fighter Day Squadron. The 32nd was assigned to the 36th Fighter Wing at Bitburg Air Base in Germany. Continue to Sabre and Super Sabre period.