IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISHARPENING THE SKILLS !!IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

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     ARTICLE IN THE LEADING ITALIAN AVIATION MAGAZINE     
Written articles in Dutch and English on the bottom of this page
1: FALCON FROST FIRE
 
THE EXERCISES WERE HELD ON DIFFERENT LOCATIONS   
OPERATION FALCON FROSTFIRE
Initially it was the intention to use more helicopters, and Hercules transportplanes to drop special forces by parachute...
...but in the morning of the exercise the weather was too bad to drop the men as the impression picture shown below.
Never the less the exercises in total were a great success. Learning and improving !
The 'enemies' on the ground however didn't bother about the weather... 
So called Russian 'Spetnatz' were prepared for.....   anything !
Before the Chinooks would fly the troops in the area a reconnaissance flight was done by a 'drone' (simulated flight by a civil L-39 airplane)
But when the environment was found safe enough, troopers and material came into the aera fast and easy ! 
Enjoy some 'aviation logistics'
Light Support Vehicles are dropped
Any terrain is their home !
Fast support of the first supplies
A high ranked commander was flown in by Belgian A-109
Fast distribution of 11th AMB (Dutch Air Mobile Brigade)
Some more impressions....
Scouts explore the terrain and give directions
Camouflaged soldiers line up in a hole in the woods to be out of sight from the ground as best as possible
More and more fire power keeps on coming...You are better to be prepared for that and train scenario’s in live exercises
The more heavy stuff is guarding essential positions....
...which is also the case in the grasslands....
.... nothing is left to chance...
... waiting patiently...
...and when the enemy appears: open fire !
Elsewhere the operation continues...
Various mortars are installed...
The situation is getting re-examined continuesly...
...from all angles !
OPERATION BLACK SCORPIONI
In general Dutch Apaches start controlling the LZ  (Landing Zone)
If you decided 'to be the enemy' , you'd better not have a date with these guys !
After the area is controlled and secured by the AH-64's men and material can be flown in
A Chinook comes in, pilots are trained in 'white-outs' in the snow, amongst others in Norway.
Dismounting the machinegun
Material has to be unloaded
Special forces start their mission (read our article below this page)
Ready to unload...
'Here come the Quads !'
Ready soon as the wheels hit the snow, including direct communications
Fast moving very light vehicles to fulfill various tasks
Also present: Mercedes trucks for communications and the more heavy 'Bushmasters'
All material has been unloaded...
...the machinegun replaced and the Chinook takes off again, all this in very short time.
Armored recce-vehicle: The Fennec
All are waiting to visit 'an unknown settlement' just out of sight of the 'village', not to seem hostile to the inhabitants..... 
....but nearby just in case something might happen unforseen. 
The 'Dutch Approach' , just not dominant but... present and friendly in the first place....
Crews may not be presented with their faces, due to possible postings abroad in crisis area elsewhere in the world
The so-called settlement was visited by the Dutch, but no hostilities were experienced....
....and the inhabitants had no stress in spite of the military equipment but thanks to the friendly approach. 
It's all there, even a model-airplane to do some recce.
Another collection of impressions around Black Scorpion exercise
Finally after all: Mission accomplished, back Home !
SHARPENING THE SKILLS: LVG4I
LVG4. A hardly known area in the middle of nowhere. To reach it to witness this, you have to walk for about 45 minutes with your equipment.
LVG4 stands for 'Laag Vlieg Gebied 4' , or Area 4 where low altitude flying is allowed in civilian territory.
Here the crews of helicopters , MAOT's and others practice in fast but professional deliveries of neccessary transport vehicles
Frankly,it's quite nice to be a witness of such an opportunity.
Some impressions: First to touch the slung with a metal hook, static electricity can be killing. 
Complete combinations are dropped to drive away instantly
Yes... sharpening the skills !
We hope you enjoyed this presentation...
....and we like to thank all involved who made these visits possible for us.
Special thanks to Dick Hoeflaken, who guided us so well in many years.
Dick we wish you and your family all the best in good health for all coming years. 
Do enjoy your free time in the new period that lies ahead of you ! Thanks !
 

ALTIJD WAAKZAAM, ALLES VOOR ALLEN, ALERT EN BESCHERMEND !I
                                                                             Article in English
                                                                             Artikel in het Nederlands
 
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