The Royal Netherlands Air Force is carrying out joint training this week with F-35 fighter jets, Apache combat helicopters and the Air Combat Command. Training will take place from the Gilze-Rijen base, sometimes in the evening hours. Flights also take off from Vliegbase Leeuwarden after dark.
The focus is on airspace defense in a military scenario – including the response to enemy aircraft, cruise missiles and other air threats. The focus here is on the interaction of different weapon systems across several airspaces. The direct exchange of real-time data creates a precise joint air situation picture.
Training in night conditions
The evening flights take place during the bases’ regular operating hours. According to a recent statement from the Dutch armed forces, training in the dark is “essential, as pilots and helicopter crews work with night vision devices and modern sensors. This is the only way to simulate realistic operating conditions and prepare crews optimally for international missions.”
Regular exercise – no connection with current events
The training series is a planned military exercise and is not related to current incidents – only at the weekend there was another drone sighting and an alert launch of Dutch F-35 fighter jets after another drone sighting. The aim is to use realistic scenarios to ensure that the Dutch Air Force can continue to reliably protect the national and allied airspace network system in the future.
Here for more news about the Dutch armed forces.
