Airbases/Stations: Vliehors - Cornfield Range

Introduction
The Cornfield Range is located at Vliehors on the island of Vlieland in the northwestern part of the country. The range is used for air gunnery, unguided rockets and bombing practise with both practise and live ammunitions, the only one in the Netherlands where this is possible. RNLAF F-16s and other NATO member frequently visit the range. In some of the bigger exercises even the USAF B-52 and B-1B bombers visit the range. On a busy day between 40 and 45 aircraft visit the range.

History
Before the start of World War II the area called 'Vliehors' was bought, but it was not until the end of the war until it was in use. On 2 May 1948 the first official exercise was organised on the range. The observation tower consisted of a simple brick building on top of a German WWII bunker.
Following the introduction of the jet fighter in RNLAF service, the range was improved. Tanks and armoured vehicles were added as targets and a new observation and control tower was built in 1957. In the 1970s new starfing targets were installed, equipped with a Saab hitrecorder.
Back then weapons included the Mk.82 and heavier Mk.83 and Mk.84 as well as napalm bombs. Today this is limited to only the Mk.82 in order to preserve the environment. Live bombing is restricted to the period between 15 September and 28 February.

Accidents involving range personnel

• 5 August 1969: RNLAF F-104G engaged two maintenance/repair trucks of the range with its 20mm cannon. One of the crew members died of its injuried in the hospital, three others were severely wounded, the fifth crew member was unhurt.
• 15 September 1992: Danish Air Force F-16 fired a salvo of CRV-7 2.75 inch practise rockets, of which five were direct hits. However the pilot targetted the control tower. One man was lightly injured. The control tower was replaced by a new one.
  
• 22 February 2001: German Marine Flieger Tornado IDS mistakenly fired its 27mm cannons at the control tower, hitting it seven times. Nobody was hurt and the tower was repaired.

Related Links

• Unofficial Cornfield Range Homepage (english)
• 50 jaar Koninklijke Luchtmacht op Vlieland (dutch)