Exercise Frisian Flag returned in April 2022 following two years down due to the global pandemic.  

This year the Dutch squadron debuted their F-35As during this international exercise at Leeuwarden Air base in the Netherlands that sees NATO allies jointly practice realistic large-scale combat scenarios. Frisian Flag is organized by the Royal Netherlands Air Force 322 Tactical Training Evaluation and Standardization Squadron. With the tensions in Eastern Europe and the war in the Ukraine in mind, this is a valuable training for the participants and their air defenses. The unmatched capabilities of the F-35 are significant, and the fleets need to be ready.  

It improves combat coordination with allies that include the Netherlands, the U.S., the U.K., Italy, Canada, France, and Germany. These partner nations, including several nations of the F-35 coalition, train like they would fight – together. Allied Air Command | NATO fighters launch into Exercise Frisian Flag