Dutch helicopters train in the snow
 |
| Dutch Chinook trains in the snow. |
In the week of February 08 2021, there were very 'wintery' weather situations in the Netherlands. Temperatures going down to -10 or even -15 Centigrade at night with some 10-20 cm of snow. The last time these kind of winter weather was seen in the Netherlands, was about a decade ago.
Due to the Corona/Covid travel-limitations plus the arctic conditions, the Dutch Royal Air Force Helicopter Command ("Koninklijke Luchtmacht Defensie Helikopter Commando") decided to make use of this weather and perform some arctic training in the Netherlands. Instead of going on an artic deployment to Norway.
During the warm summer months, the helicopter crews train the 'brown-out' landings in the sand; where the blown-up sand will hamper vision.
Now there was the option to exercise the 'white-out' landing and take-off conditions where the vision was hampered by snow flying around. Just at home in the Netherlands.
In the military low-lying area named "GLV5" near Eindhoven Airbase (ICAO: EHEH), there were several Eurocopter AS532 Cougar and Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopters exercising in the snow.
The Cougar helicopters landed during the end of the day, during the last sunlight. While the Chinook helicopters landed on a sunny afternoon.
Due to the Corona/Covid travel-limitations plus the arctic conditions, the Dutch Royal Air Force Helicopter Command ("Koninklijke Luchtmacht Defensie Helikopter Commando") decided to make use of this weather and perform some arctic training in the Netherlands. Instead of going on an artic deployment to Norway.
During the warm summer months, the helicopter crews train the 'brown-out' landings in the sand; where the blown-up sand will hamper vision.
Now there was the option to exercise the 'white-out' landing and take-off conditions where the vision was hampered by snow flying around. Just at home in the Netherlands.
In the military low-lying area named "GLV5" near Eindhoven Airbase (ICAO: EHEH), there were several Eurocopter AS532 Cougar and Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopters exercising in the snow.
The Cougar helicopters landed during the end of the day, during the last sunlight. While the Chinook helicopters landed on a sunny afternoon.
Photos: Joris van Boven and Alex van Noije
Video: Alex van Noije
Text: Joris van Boven
Video: Alex van Noije
Text: Joris van Boven
No comments
All comments related to the contents of our articles are welcome. It is not allowed to post promotional messages, links to external sites, or references to activities not related to this blog.