Soesterberg
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Soesterberg () is a town in the Dutch province of Utrecht. It is a part of the municipality of Soest, and lies about 5 km northeast of Zeist, on the road between Amersfoort and Utrecht.
In 2001, the town of Soesterberg had 5,798 inhabitants. The built-up area of the town was 1.31 km2, and contained 2503 residences.[1]
[edit] Soesterberg Air Base
In 1910, the heathland north of the village was used as an airfield. From 1954 to 1994 it became a NATO base for the United States Air Force 32nd TFS (originally 32nd FIS, later 32nd FS), and the village of Soesterberg housed a number of American families. The 32nd is the only US military unit to ever have been under direct operational control of a foreign nation (operational control fell to the Dutch military).
The Dutch Airforce (then called LuchtVliegafdeling or LVa, literally airflying department) was established here in 1913.
Soesterberg Airbase is now home to the Dutch army helicopter force, it is slated for closure as the Dutch military establishment is being reduced.
Nearby Kamp Zeist is the home of the Dutch Airforce museum as well as the site of the Lockerbie trials of Libyian agents who blew up a Pan Am Flight 103 over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in 1988.
[edit] References
- ^ Statistics Netherlands (CBS), Bevolkingskernen in Nederland 2001 [1]. Statistics are for the continuous built-up area.
[edit] See also
 |
This Utrecht location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
