USAF Patch Fighter USAFE b 32 TFS Tactical Fighter Squadron g F 4 s Clinic sa

USAF Patch USAFE 32 TFS Tactical Fighter Squadron Clinic Soesterberg Camp Amsterdam Netherlands Dutch Windmill Patch Subdued 1970s Fully embroidered cut edge 75mm by 70mm two and seven eighth inches by two and three quarter inches

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History

In 1954 the Dutch government entered into an agreement with the US to the stationing of a US Air Force fighter squadron in the Netherlands to reinforce the Royal Netherlands Air Force in order for it to be able to comply with its NATO commitments. Royal Netherlands Air Base Soesterberg was chosen as the location for the fighter squadron.

512 Fighter Day Squadrons relocation to Soesterberg was well underway when the 512 designation was transferred to RAF Bentwaters in September 1955. Aircraft personnel and equipment remained at Soesterberg and activated as 32 Fighter Day Squadron a designation linked with the Netherlands via its anti-submarine defense of Dutch Caribbean possessions in WW2. 32 Fighter Day Squadron Wolfhounds reported to
36th Fighter Wing at Bitburg Air Base West Germany. The squadron was the only USAF flying unit on the Base and occupied a portion calling it Camp New Amsterdam after the first Dutch settlement in the United Stated New Amsterdam which later became New York City.

Camp New Amsterdam included the aircraft shelters for the American planes with the required engineering and technical resources together
with support facilities including the Police and the  Camp Clinic and personnel amenities such as residential accommodation, school, chapel, heath club bowling alley and Commissary store all USAF controlled. The camp expanded with the changes in 32 TFSs aircraft and the need for stricter security.

In 1989 the Dutch permitted USAFE to upgrade its headquarters unit at Soesterberg from squadron to group status. The 32 Tactical Fighter Group was activated on 16 November 1989 taking over the functions 32 TFS HQ element and support detachments.

In spring 1994 HQ USAFE used the 32 designation for the new 32d Air Operations Group with 32 Fighter Squadron being renamed 32 Air Operations Squadron on its move from Camp New Amsterdam Soesterberg to Ramstein on 1 July 1994 under USAFE Theater Air and Space-operations Center.

632d Air Base Squadron was activated at Soesterburg to complete the base closure. The 32d Air Operations Squadron was inactivated on 1 November 2005.

This patch dates from the late 1970s.