Members of the Dutch 11th Luchtmobiwlen Brigade practiced transnational airmobile operations with helicopters at the Air Mobility Training and Exercise Center in Celle. The exercise lasted two weeks. Around 50 soldiers from an airmobile anti-tank platoon took part in the exercise. Light transport vehicles and the NH-90 multi-purpose helicopter were also used.
During the 14-day exercise, the platoon practiced securing its own forces and conducting reconnaissance. Drones were also used. Before the actual exercise in the field, the soldiers faced the challenges virtually. Various scenarios were tested with the help of the tactical shooter Virtual Battle Space. This was followed by a switch to the field.
The two participating nations, Germany and the Netherlands, communicated internally in their national languages and switched to English for joint communication. According to the Bundeswehr, the focus of the exercise was to give the participants an understanding of airmobile operations. In particular, the exercise focused on boarding, picking up and dropping off external loads and communication procedures. The exercise was followed by a comprehensive evaluation. The Land Training Center and the evaluation team from Celle took a detailed look at the soldiers’ performance and identified potential for improvement. The Dutch 11th Luchtmobiele Brigade is a rapidly deployable, light infantry combat unit and is one of the army’s helicopter-strong combat units. The brigade can be deployed anywhere in the world within 7 to 20 days. It plans and conducts high-intensity combat for national and alliance defense. Selected units of the brigade are trained to support special forces.
