De Peel Air Base, Military airbase in Vredepeel, Netherlands.
De Peel Air Base is a military installation near Venray set on forested land with infrastructure for flight operations. The site features a single runway and two operational helipads for aircraft and helicopter use.
The installation was built by the German Luftwaffe in 1944 as a grass airstrip and later served as a Royal Netherlands Air Force base during the Cold War period. Following this era, the facility was converted into a barracks while maintaining its military function.
The facility maintains strong connections with Dutch military heritage through its transition from an air force base to the current Lieutenant General Best Barracks.
The base sits on slightly elevated land surrounded by forested landscape, making orientation straightforward with marked paths and signs throughout the grounds. Visitors should note that access to military areas may be restricted, and only certain sections are open to the public.
The base retains reactivation capabilities, meaning flight operations could be resumed under certain conditions if needed. This readiness has been demonstrated through training exercises in recent years where approach and departure procedures were tested.
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