defensie reportages
defensie reportages
defensie reportages
ScanEagle conducts its first operational mission in Dutch service
On August 8th, a Dutch ScanEagle short range tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (SRTUAV) conducted its first operational mission over the Gulf of Aden as part of the counter-piracy Operation Ocean Shield. The air vehicle was launched from the Royal Netherlands Navy landing platform deck (LPD) HrMs Rotterdam which assumed duties as flagship for the NATO led operation on August 4th. ScanEagle is currently deployed on board Rotterdam in its 'interim-interim' guise. A single system is operated by an army detachment of nineteen men from 107...
Heb jij de juiste "Aptitude"?
"Wie wil er nu niet bij NLMARSOF als operator." De twee korporaals van het Korps Mariniers zijn het roerend eens met de uitspraak van Don. "Dit is de mooiste tak van sport", vult Chris zijn collega aan. Beide zijn een aantal dagen ervoor begonnen aan de Aptitude, de drieweekse selectie om toegelaten te worden in de MSOF opleiding. Hun ambitie? Maritieme Special Forces operator worden bij het Korps Mariniers. De Aptitude is de eerste horde in een lange weg die in totaal bijna een driekwart jaar zal duren. De korporaals zijn ervaren...
defensie reportages
European Air Transport Training 2012
The first European Air Transport Training (EATT) was held from June 4th until June 15th at Zaragoza Air Base in Spain. Zaragoza provided participating aircrews with formidable training facilities due to the nearby San Gregorio training range. Nearby Ablitas airfield was made available for Tactical Air Landing Operations (TALO). The entire preparation for the exercise was done under the auspices of the Ad Hoc Working Group Tactical Air Transport (AHWG TAT) led by LTC Pascal July from the Belgian air force. European Air Transport Command...
defensie reportages
"Alle begin is..." De weg naar de rode baret voor lichting 12-08
"Alle begin is..." De lichting mannen die begin augustus begonnen bij de A-compagnie van de School Luchtmobiele Brigade, is het eerste resultaat van de in 2012 ingevoerde Kennismakingsdagen. Gedurende deze drie dagen mogen ze laten zien wat ze aan fysieke en mentale bagage in huis hebben. Tegelijkertijd kunnen ze uitgebreid kennismaken met de in en outs van 11 Luchtmobiele Brigade. Tijdens de kennismakingsdagen blijkt dat ca. 30% van de mensen die opkomen, na de eerste ochtend alweer in de trein naar huis zitten. Voornamelijk door...
defensie reportages
Dutch Defence Helicopter Command adjusts to meet operational and acquisition changes
Dutch defence minister Hans Hillen has informed Dutch parliament on May 16th that he has ordered the Dutch MoD to initiate a possible buy of eleven additional new-built CH-47Fs in order to ensure the long term viability of the Dutch medium transport helicopter (MTH) fleet. This would effectively put an end to the planned modification of the current eleven remaining CH-47D airframes to CH-47F standard. This mid-life update programme was to start from 2016 and would allow the Dutch MTH fleet to stay in service until 2035. The acquisition of new...
defensie reportages
Dutch army withdraws YPR765 AIFV from service
Transition to the new BAE Systems Hägglunds CV9035NL is nearing its completion while its predecessor in Dutch army service is being phased out rapidly. To mark the withdrawal of the ageing YPR765A1 AIFV, a final live fire exercise was conducted at the Bergen Hohne training area in Germany on June 27th. The Dutch YPR series of armored vehicles are based upon the Food Machinery Corporation (FMC) XM765 design from the late 1960s. XM765 was essentially an improved version of the M113A1 APC fitted with an enclosed weapons station. In April...
defensie reportages
Training exercise BSB (Brigade Speciale Beveiligingsopdrachten)
Dog interception of 'lone wolf' Bagdad scenario: VIP visit to an outdoor public reception The recon vehicle preliminary team enters the location in an armored car equipped with the heaviest grade of protection. The team's initial assessment detects no visible threats in the operational zone. Next comes a vehicle team of armored cars containing the principle, her close protection and back up team. They deploy for a meet and greet with the local dignitaries. After the meet and greet few minutes as the principle is leaving a single...
defensie reportages
Frisian Flag 2012 - contractor support of air operations
This year's edition of exercise Frisian Flag (FF2012) was not just about multinational mixed fighter packages battling airborne threats in an Offensive Counter Air (OCA) role over enemy territory. On a daily basis, the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) led exercise provided its participants with a series of opportunities to plan, execute and debrief large-scale Combined Air Operations (COMAO) packages in realistic scenarios. At the same time existing multinational relationships between NATO and non-NATO air forces (Sweden and Finland) were...
defensie reportages
SOTG oefening "Lowlands" editie 2012
Afgelopen juni vond de door het Korps Commandotroepen (KCT) geleide oefening 'Lowlands' plaats. Deze niveau 4 (korpsgeleid) oefening werd in het kader van gereedstelling en certificering voor de stand-by periode en het trainen in de zogenoemde 'Special Operations Task Group' (SOTG) gehouden. Een breed scala aan complexe speciale operaties, waaronder contra-terreur (CT), personal recovery en het bevrijden van gijzelaars passeerde de revue. Ook het samenwerken met en leiding geven aan buitenlandse Special Forces (SF)-eenheden stond op het...
defensie reportages