Weekly overview of defence operations | News | defence.nl

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The Netherlands has Zr. Ms. Karel Dorman deployed to participate in Operation ASPIDES. An international staff led by Commander George Pastor is directing the operation at a tactical level aboard this naval ship.

Under the EU Operation ASPIDS flag, merchant ships are protected during their voyages through the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.

Ms. Zr. Karel Doorman delivers fuel to Navy vessels in the area, monitors shipping in the area and provides medical care when necessary.

Aircraft wreckage salvage

The Ministry of Defense has begun salvaging the wreckage of two World War II aircraft in the northeastern Frisian cityThis involved a Vickers Wellington HE346 of the British Royal Air Force and a Messerschmitt Bf 109 of the German Jagdgeschwader. The wreckage of both aircraft may contain the remains of six crew members.

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Iraq

The US air base in Iraq, Al Asad, was bombarded with multiple missiles. This resulted in limited material damage. A Dutch air force detachment with 3 Chinook transport helicopters also operated from the Iraqi base. These attacks fit into the normal threat situation that has evolved in recent months. It has been quiet recently. The soldiers remain alert and aware of the environment. The Netherlands is well prepared for this. The practice in Iraq shows that sufficient training space is very important.

The helicopter detachment can accommodate up to 120 troops and supports NATO’s mission in Iraq (NMI) and Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) against the Islamic State. The Chinook helicopters are used to resupply and transport advisors, troops and equipment.

Iraq also has an 11th Airmobile Brigade, which can accommodate up to 145 soldiers. The Red Berets, along with Spanish and Polish troops, are responsible for force protection within the National Military Intelligence. 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 defense and security services. The staff includes 5 Dutch soldiers and 5 Ministry of Foreign Affairs employees 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.

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Training Ukrainian soldiers

The European F-16 training center in Romania has graduated its first batch of graduates. These are Romanian pilots. They have been declared combat ready and can now be deployed operationally.
The Netherlands played a major role in establishing the EFTC, providing a total of 18 F-16s. These aircraft are intended for training Ukrainian and Romanian pilots. Currently, 14 Dutch fighters are in service at the Romanian training center.

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.

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.

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:

• Since 2017, the Netherlands has been helping NATO to strengthen its forward presence in Lithuania. The Ministry of Defence is currently providing between 270 and 300 soldiers. The presence of international forces in Lithuania demonstrates NATO’s readiness and solidarity with the Lithuanian people.
• 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.
• In the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, Karel Doorman is deployed to participate in 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 attack 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 deployed 2 staff officers to the US-led Operation Guardians of Prosperity.
• 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 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 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.
• Air Force service dogs have been searching for possible explosives in the Olympic Village in Paris since July 26. The trained four-legged friends work as a skilled team with their handlers. The deployment was made at the request of France for the Olympic Games.
• 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 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.