Runway 28; Gilze-Rijen, 2003

Gilze-Rijen Air Base in 2003; Text and Photograph's by Alex van Noye

This year I was able to catch a German Tornado IDS from Marinefliegergeschwader 2 (MFG 2) at Gilze-Rijen. This aircraft is based at the North German airbase Eggebek. This airbase will close down at the end of this year, because MFG-2 will be disbanded due to cuts in funds. The German government is will close more German airfields in the near future due to cuts in funds. Therefore it was a nice opportunity to catch this German Navy Tornado at Gilze-Rijen Air Base. The year 2003 is also the year in which the no 299 Squadron will be disbanded. This squadron flew from 1995 with the German-built Bo-105 Bölkow from Gilze-Rijen. The helicopter type will be retired at the end of 2003.