Gilze-Rijen Aviation Society 40th anniversary
By Dino van Doorn | GMAP.NL Team | September 2026
GRAS Celebrates 40th Anniversary at Gilze-Rijen Air Base
Gilze-Rijen, 9 September 2026 – The Gilze-Rijen Aviation Society (GRAS) celebrated its 40th anniversary with a special gathering at Gilze-Rijen Air Base. Members, former members, and invited guests came together to mark four decades of aviation enthusiasm and spotting history.
The celebration was made even more memorable by the arrival of a variety of visiting aircraft and helicopters, many of which attended specifically for the occasion. The diverse line-up provided excellent photographic opportunities and highlighted the strong ties between the aviation community and the air base.
Founded in 1986, GRAS has grown into one of the Netherlands’ best-known spotting associations, supporting aviation photography and documenting military aviation activities for forty years. The anniversary event offered a chance to look back on the club’s rich history while also looking ahead to the future.
The combination of friendly reunions, aviation memories, and an impressive range of visiting aircraft made the 40th anniversary a fitting tribute to one of the country’s most respected aviation societies.
