De Kooy Airfield (Den Helder Airport)

De Kooy Airfield is located south of Den Helder, Netherlands, and takes its name from a nearby hamlet. The site operates as a dual-user facility, serving as both Den Helder Airport for civilian traffic and Maritiem Vliegkamp De Kooy for the Royal Netherlands Navy.

The airfield was established in 1918 to provide the Royal Netherlands Navy with a base for conventional aircraft, supplementing a pre-existing seaplane station on Texel. During World War II, the base came under German control and was designated Fliegerhorst De Kooy. Despite the presence of heavy anti-aircraft defenses, the facility sustained damage during the conflict. Post-war repairs were followed by the construction of a concrete runway in 1960, replacing the previous grass field. In 1968, the retirement of the aircraft carrier HNLMS Karel Doorman led the Royal Netherlands Navy to transition its based assets from fixed-wing aircraft to helicopters. The base adopted a joint military-civilian status in the 1980s to accommodate helicopter services for North Sea oil platforms.

The Royal Netherlands Navy's Naval Aviation Service stations 990 Squadron at the base, which operates NH90 helicopters. Civilian operations primarily consist of helicopter movements transporting personnel to and from offshore oil rigs. Additionally, the airfield hosts Skyline Aviation, which operates business aircraft and Aero L-39 Albatros jets to perform airwork services, including aerial photography for military and civilian contractors. While helicopter movements comprise the majority of activity, the facility also supports fixed-wing aircraft operations.