RNLAF KDC-10 F-35 Aerial Refueling Premier

The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) received its national certification for aerial refueling of the F-35 after both Dutch fighters of this type received fuel from an RNLAF KDC-10 for the first time last week.

The aerial refueling occurred in daylight, at dusk and in the dark over Edwards Air Force Base in California. The certification is part of the operational testing and evaluation phase of the F-35 before it is cleared to go to the Netherlands in May or June for the first time for three weeks of flights over Leeuwarden and Volkel air bases.

The first F-35s will be stationed in the Netherlands in 2019.

Dutch Ministry of Defense photos