Weekly overview of defence operations | News | defence.nl

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The injured were first stabilized, and then a Lithuanian Air Force helicopter took them to a designated location for further treatment.

Another training course involves “breaching,” which involves using explosives to enter a building.

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The Ministry of Defense is providing 270 to 300 soldiers for NATO’s advance force (eFP) in Lithuania. International forces are stationed in the Baltic country to show the alliance’s readiness and solidarity with the people.

NATO Fleet Association

The naval ships Zr.Ms. De Ruyter and Zr.Ms. Van Amstel sail for NATO Standing Maritime Group 1. This is one of NATO’s four permanent maritime response forces. The fleet operates in the North Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

Ms. Karel Dorman

Logistics supply ship ZR.MS. Karel Dorman returns from EU operation ASPIDE in the Red Sea. The ship has contributed to protecting international shipping from the threat posed by the Houthis.

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.

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:

• The Dutch helicopter detachment of the NATO Mission in Iraq (NMI) uses three Chinook transport helicopters from Al Asad Air Base. These aircraft are used to supply and transport advisers, troops and equipment. The detachment, which has a mission strength of up to 120 troops, also supports Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) against the Islamic State.
• Within the NMI, a unit of the 11th Aviation Brigade is also responsible for force protection, along with Spanish and Polish units. The company, with up to 145 soldiers, is responsible for protecting 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 defence and security services. The staff includes five Dutch soldiers and five employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who serve 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 MS Zr. Groningen is a station ship in the Caribbean Sea. This combines counter-drug operations with support to the Caribbean Coast Guard and humanitarian aid.
• 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’s bomb disposal operation destroyed the explosives, which 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 a 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.
• A “joint” aircraft recovery team has recovered a British Vickers Wellington aircraft from World War II in northeastern Friesland. There were five crew members on board. The hope is to locate the remains, identify them and eventually provide them with a final resting place.
• A Dutch marine unit is currently supporting the police on Sint Maarten with the Curacao militia. This is to ensure security during the elections and to maintain public order. That was on August 19th. The island is still restless. Therefore, the marines’ deployment will continue until the end of the month.