Weekly overview of defence operations | News | defence.nl

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In a time of heightened world tensions and war on Europe’s eastern borders, the symbolic message was: “We fly for freedom, we fly for you”. For this purpose, an airdrop was also carried out from a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. 4 military paratroopers landed on the festival grounds.

F-16 on its way to the UK Air Show Fairford. They took the Black Cross “in passing”.

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Lithuania

Dutch soldiers in Lithuania are preparing to depart. A new group will soon take over the tasks. CV90 infantry fighting vehicles, Buffel salvage tanks and Boxer wheeled armored vehicles arrived at the port by train. From there they returned to the Netherlands by ship. Loading and unloading the vehicles is a precision job. The execution is carried out by a special unit in the Netherlands. Each batch in Lithuania uses its own equipment. Flights of new arrivals are on the way to the Baltic state.

In addition, a Dutchman also took patriotLithuanian troops take part in exercises Baltic connection 2024. The aim, among other things, is to have the system functioning optimally with the systems of colleagues from Lithuania, Spain and Portugal.

The Netherlands has been contributing to increasing Lithuania’s influence since 2017 (Enhanced forward presence) of NATO. The Ministry of Defense currently provides 270 to 300 soldiers. The presence of international troops in Lithuania demonstrates NATO’s readiness and solidarity with the Lithuanian people.

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 Air Mobile 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 at the core. The Ministry of Defense provides 1 EUMAM officer to the Brussels headquarters. Six soldiers are also on duty Special Training Command in Germany Strausberg 1 in Zagan, Poland. Combined Arms Training Command.

The Netherlands also provided several soldiers to the US-led headquarters Ukraine Security Assistance Group (SAG-U) and for this International Donor Coordination Centre (IDCC) German WiesbadenThis involves cooperation with the Advanced Logistics Operations Location in Rzeszów, Poland, where several Dutch soldiers are also working.

Defending the NATO Treaty Area

The Armed Forces provide ships, ground forces and aircraft for the primary mission of national defense: the joint defense of the NATO Treaty Area.

Ongoing overseas business:

• In Iraq, a helicopter detachment performs a mission at the Assad base Air base Meet 3 Chinook– Transport helicopters. The air detachment has a mission strength of up to 120 soldiers and supports NATO’s mission in Iraq (NMI) and operations against the Islamic State. Inner determination (Oyl). Chinook Used to supply and move advisors, units, and equipment.
• Additionally, in Iraq, a unit of the 11th Aviation Brigade is responsible for up to 145 soldiers. Armed protection NMI. The company protects military and civilian advisers in and around Baghdad. NMI aims to strengthen security and stability in Iraq and reduce the threat of terrorism. This is achieved by training, advising and assisting the defence and security sectors. The staff includes 5 Dutch soldiers and 5 Ministry of Foreign Affairs employees who act as advisers.
• In Erbil, Iraq, five Dutch soldiers are still serving 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. National Support Force Supporting the Dutch contribution in Baghdad, Erbil and Assad 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 on the borders between Israel and Lebanon and between Israel and Syria for some time. United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO). The Netherlands Gender Advisor is United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon The headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon in Naqoura.
• Four Dutch nationals involved in Jerusalem and Ramallah incidents U.S. Security Coordinator (United States Marine Corps). 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 is responsible for coordinating this mission.
• In the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, Karel Doorman is deployed to participate in the EU Operation Aspides. The aim of this is to promote security and free passage in the region. A vital shipping route passes through the Red Sea between the Suez Canal and the Indian Ocean. Houthi rebels have attacked merchant ships with missiles and drones. Karel Doorman is the flagship of Aspides. The ship facilitates the Dutch force commander and his international staff. It also provides fuel for other naval vessels. This logistical support ship also provides medical capabilities and a helicopter for reconnaissance flights and medical evacuations. The Ministry of Defense has also sent two staff officers to the US-led operation Prosperity Guardian.
• 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.
• A company of around 150 marines contributes to the EUFOR Althea mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The unit has a variety of tasks: from patrolling toCrowd and riot control‘ and provide support as a rapid reaction unit anywhere in the country. Six Dutch staff officers and an intelligence team are also working in the country. They contribute to the proper management of the mission at EUFOR Althea headquarters.
• With 3 Dutch MQ-9 Reaper UAV In Romania, the Air Force collects 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.
• Air Force service dogs search for possible explosives in the Olympic Village in Paris. The trained four-legged friends work as a skilled team with their handlers. The deployment was requested by France. The Olympic Games will open in the French capital on July 26.
• Dutch soldiers also contribute to various headquarters and forward duty posts. Uniformed personnel are assigned separately to Rota, Spain.EU Naval Forces), Bahrain (Combined Maritime Forces), Kosovo (EU Rule of Law Mission Kosovo) and Qatar (Firm determination to act).

Domestic Business/Operations:

• Last week, bomb disposal operations destroyed 34 explosive devices that were found scattered across the country.
• Air Combat Control Centre monitors Dutch airspace 24/7 Air Combat Control Station New Milligan. Dutch and Belgian fighters alternately 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 defense helps to receive Ukrainian and Afghan refugees as well as asylum seekers from other countries. This happens at Zeist in Ede and Legerplaats Harskamp.
• Army soldiers dug 2 wells in Ooststellingwerf, Friesland. If a large fire breaks out, they can provide enough water to extinguish it. This should prevent fires in nature reserves from spreading out of control.
• Army soldiers built a floating bridge across the Maas River near Queques, so that four-day hikers could cross the river.