The Royal Netherlands Air Force Orchestra is one of three professional military wind orchestras of the Dutch armed forces, based at Gilze-Rijen Air Base. Its more than forty wind players and rhythm section - all conservatory-trained - specialise in pop, jazz and film music, performing at both military ceremonies and public theatre concerts across the Netherlands, often alongside guest artists. The ensemble was founded shortly after the liberation in 1945.
The orchestra performs free on August 28, 2026 at the Airborne Veterans Evening in Ede, together with Trijntje Oosterhuis, as part of the Airborne Ede month.
The National Taptoe moves in 2026 to the Brabanthallen in 's-Hertogenbosch, after twenty years at Rotterdam Ahoy.
The orchestra traveled to Canada in May 2025 for a series of free 'Thank You Canada' concerts commemorating 80 years of liberation, with singer Shirma Rouse.
Major Jasper Staps returned on December 1, 2024 as chief conductor of the Royal Netherlands Air Force Orchestra; he held that position previously from 2014 to 2018.
In December 2025 the orchestra toured together with Douwe Bob through Dutch theaters for a Christmas show with repertoire from Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley.
