Weekly overview of defence operations | News | defence.nl

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The wreck of the Messerschmitt is located in northeastern Friesland. The “joint” aircraft recovery team also recovered a second aircraft in the city. It was the British Vickers Wellington. There were 5 crew members on board.

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Olympic Games

The Paris Olympics attracted worldwide attention. Unfortunately, not only from sports fans, but also from terrorists. Even before the sporting event began, security services arrested several criminals who had a very bad plan. The French capital did everything to ensure that the Summer Olympics took place safely and without incident. As a result, from July 26 to August 11, there were about 30,000 police officers and 15,000 soldiers on the streets.

These included members of the Royal Military Police on horseback, and four dog teams from the Royal Air Force.

They searched for explosives along the Seine between the chairs and benches in the stands, but the Olympic Village was also searched. No building, room, corner or bathroom was left out. This also applied to sports venues, such as the mountain bike track, and to the buses or cars of dignitaries. The dog teams worked endlessly, even three weeks before the start of the Games.

Adjutant Jan-Wilhelm Jonker, coordinator of the Canine Defence Specialty Centre at Windrecht Air Base, says the French leave nothing to chance. They want to trust the Dutch professionalism. Therefore, the teams undergo numerous training and exercises. “The dogs have to demonstrate what they can do in a realistic scenario: There is an explosive somewhere, but you don’t know where. You have to find it,” Jonker explains.

The teams succeeded in convincing people and were frequently deployed during and after the games. Jonk: “Sometimes we got up at 3:30 in the morning and didn’t get back until 8 at night. The fact that we were often allowed to work shows that we were doing a good job.” The Frenchman confirmed this again in his thank-you letter.

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Lithuania

For the first time, NATO’s advanced force in Lithuania is led by Dutch soldiers. Lieutenant Colonel Bas Schillemans took over the German command. He managed about 1,300 soldiers from six different countries for six months.

The Netherlands has been participating in this advanced activity in the Baltic States since 2017. The Ministry of Defence currently provides between 270 and 300 soldiers. The presence of international forces in Lithuania demonstrates NATO’s readiness and solidarity with the Lithuanian people.

Red Sea

Ms. Zr. Karel Dolmann is on her way from the Red Sea to the Netherlands. Over the past three months, the logistics transport ship has provided fuel to more than 20 naval vessels. It has also provided medical capabilities. The Royal Navy’s work in the area terrorized by the Houthis has now ended.

This deployment is for Operation ASPIDES. The aim is to promote security and free movement in the region. The Netherlands is still involved in the operation. For example, some staff officers and a political adviser are still based at the operational headquarters in Larissa, Greece. The Netherlands also contributes soldiers to the Maritime Security Centre in Brest. This is the first point of contact for shipowners and the shipping industry.

The Department of Defense has also sent a staff member to the U.S.-led Operation Guardians of Prosperity, which serves the same purpose as ASPIDE.

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Training Ukrainian soldiers

Dutch trainers provide basic training for Operation Interflex to Ukrainian recruits in the UK. This happens on a large scale. Ukrainian soldiers receive courses in tactical operations, shooting, weapons knowledge and explosive ordnance disposal. After the five-week process, they go to the front lines.

14 Dutch F-16 fighters are in service at the F-16 training center in Romania. These aircraft are designed to train Ukrainian and Romanian pilots.

Around 150 soldiers from the Airmobile Brigade are training Ukrainian forces in Germany. This is done under the banner of the European Training Mission EUMAM. Weapons operations, operations in urbanized areas, and command and control are central. The Ministry of Defense provides 1 EUMAM officer to the Brussels headquarters. Six soldiers are also serving at the Special Training Command in Strausberg, Germany, and the Special Training Command in Zagan, Poland. The officer is based at the Combined Arms Training Command.

The Netherlands has also provided several soldiers to the US-led Security Assistance Group-Ukraine (SAG-U) headquarters and the International Donor Coordination Centre (IDCC) in Wiesbaden, Germany. This involves cooperation with the advanced logistics work site in Rzeszów, Poland, where several Dutch soldiers are also working.

Ongoing overseas business:

• In Iraq, a helicopter detachment operates out of Al Asad Air Base with three Chinook transport helicopters. The detachment operates with a maximum strength of 120 troops in support of NATO’s mission in Iraq (NMI) and Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) against the Islamic State. Chinook helicopters are used to resupply and transport advisors, troops and equipment.
• Additionally, in Iraq, a unit of the 11th Aviation Brigade (up to 145 soldiers) is responsible for force protection within the NMI, together with Spanish and Polish units. The company protects military and civilian advisers in and around Baghdad. The NMI aims to strengthen security and stability in Iraq and reduce the threat of terrorism. This is achieved by training, advising and assisting the defense and security services. The staff includes 5 Dutch soldiers and 5 employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who act as advisers.
• In Erbil, Iraq, five Dutch soldiers remain as advisors to Kurdish forces fighting ISIS. They are part of OIR. Three staff officers have been assigned to the mission headquarters: one in Kuwait and two in Baghdad. The National Support Unit supports the Dutch contribution in Baghdad, Erbil and Al Asad Air Base.
• NMI is led by a Dutch commander. In addition to five military advisers, there are more than 10 Dutch staff officers working at NMI headquarters.
• In the Middle East, 10 Dutch soldiers have been serving as observers for some time in the border areas between Israel and Lebanon and between Israel and Syria. They do this for the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO). A Dutch gender adviser works at the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) in Naqoura, Lebanon.
• In Jerusalem and Ramallah, 4 Dutch nationals are involved in the work of the US Security Coordinators (USSC). This involves 2 civilians and 2 soldiers. The mission focuses on the professionalization of the Palestinian security sector. The USSC seeks to contribute to the viability of a stable Palestinian state. The United States coordinates this mission.
• A company of around 150 marines contributes to the EUFOR Althea mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The unit undertakes a variety of tasks: from patrolling to crowd and riot control, as well as providing support as a rapid reaction force anywhere in the country. Six Dutch staff officers and an intelligence team are also based in the country. They contribute to the proper management of the mission by EUFOR Althea headquarters.
• The ZR. MS Groningen sailed in the Caribbean as a stationed ship. Missions included supporting the Caribbean Coast Guard, providing humanitarian aid and conducting counter-drug operations.
• The Air Force has deployed three Dutch MQ-9 Reapers in Romania to collect information on the eastern flank of the NATO zone. About 40 soldiers with MQ-9 are stationed at a military base in the Romanian city of Luna. They are responsible for the maintenance and monitoring of unmanned equipment and the necessary connections. Flying the aircraft and processing the collected information is carried out at the Leeuwarden Air Base. About 100 soldiers are still involved.
• Dutch soldiers also contribute to various headquarters and forward mission posts. Military and police personnel are deployed to Rota, Spain (EU NAVFOR), Bahrain (Joint Maritime Force), Kosovo (EULEX) and Qatar (Operation Inherent Resolve).

Domestic Business/Operations:

• Last week, bomb disposal operations destroyed 33 explosive devices that were found scattered across the country.
• Dutch airspace is monitored 24/7 by the air operations control station Nieuw Milligen. Dutch and Belgian fighter jets are used alternately to protect the entire Benelux. Currently this task is undertaken by Belgium.
• Due to the conflict between Hamas and Israel, an Air Force contingent is on standby in the Netherlands to provide humanitarian assistance or possible evacuation. This also applies to troops from the Marine Corps and the Air Mobile Brigade.
• The defence ministry helps host Ukrainian and Afghan refugees as well as asylum seekers from other countries. This happens at the Walaardt Sacré Camp in Zeist and at Legerplaats Harskamp in Ede.
• Dutch marines in the Caribbean are assisting the police on the island of Sint Maarten. This is done to ensure security and maintain public order during the elections. They are on August 19.