Boarding drilling platforms, covertly penetrating deep into enemy territory from the sea and conducting secret operations – scenarios like these characterized the international exercise “Autumn Waves”, in which maritime special forces from several
NATO
-countries took part. The exercises took place at various locations in the Netherlands and Belgium.
With the end of the land missions in Afghanistan and Mali, a new security reality is coming into focus: the increasing threat from Russia in the North Sea and Baltic Sea region. “Special operations on and from the sea are more relevant today than ever,” explains Lieutenant Colonel Eric, commander of the exercise and officer at the Netherlands Special Operations Command (NLD SOCOM). “We have to train this maritime operational profile regularly in order to remain operationally ready – it’s a completely different discipline.”
Multinational training
“Autumn Waves” takes place every two years and this time was jointly organized by the Netherlands and Belgium – an obvious choice, as the
Netherlands Maritime Special Operations Forces
(NLMARSOF) and their
Belgian partners
cooperate closely. For the first time
Polish special forces
also took part. “Dutch people flew in Polish helicopters, Poles used our boats,” reports Eric. “This allows the operators to learn how to work with each other’s equipment and compare procedures – a decisive advantage when real cooperation is needed in an emergency.”
Air support from “Wildcats”
The focus was not only on sea operations, but also on air operations: the exercise provided the 300th ‘Wildcats’ Special Operations Squadron of the Dutch Air and Space Forces (CLRS) with an opportunity for self-evaluation. The squadron, which is equipped with Cougar transport helicopters, is specially designed to support special forces. The crews practiced night flying procedures, precision landings and the use of forward bases.
Cooperation is the key
“The demands during the exercise were high,” sums up Lieutenant Colonel Mark from the Belgian side, who began the detailed planning two years ago. “But the result was excellent. We learned from each other – and the trust that grows between the special forces of different nations is crucial. This is the only way we can strike together and effectively in an emergency.”
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to more news about the Dutch armed forces and
here
for more news about the Belgian armed forces.
