Falcon Leap 2021
 |
| Five C-130 Hercules from three different nations land at Eindhoven Airport, The Netherlands, after completing a "Falcon Leap 2021" mission. |
The Dutch 11th Airmobile Brigade of the Royal Netherlands Army organized the international exercise Falcon Leap. The unit specializes in the rapid deployment of troops by air and for this it practiced the so-called cargo droppings. With tactical C-130 Hercules transport aircraft of the 336 Squadron of the Royal Netherlands Air Force and international partners, loads were dropped over the Marnewaard (Netherlands) and Schaffen training areas (Belgium) and Deelen Air Base (Netherlands).
In total, about 80 container delivery systems and 1 heavy load were dropped. This was done in collaboration with American (C-130 Hercules), Polish (Casa C295M) and Italian (C-130 Hercules) colleagues. Falcon Leap provided the opportunity to train together and become familiar with each other's equipment and procedures. A possible airborne operation nowadays always takes place in collaboration with coalition troops. Interoperability, using the same procedures and working methods, is then essential. The hermetically sealed 'delivery container' is very suitable for providing poorly accessible troops with vulnerable items such as food or ammunition. This also applies to relief supplies to people in a disaster area.
During Falcon Leap, a so-called cross-loading was done for the first time. Dutch payloads were ejected from a Polish C-295M transport aircraft. A heavy load (more than 1,000 kilograms) has also been dropped for the first time, led by American soldiers. Being able to drop such loads broadens the deployability of the unit. In the future, the Airmobile Brigade wants to add form to this deployment to the operational 'toolbox'. The second week of the exercise revolved around parachute drops by soldiers on Ginkelse Heide, Heteren, Houtdorperveld, Renkum, Marnewaard (all in the Netherlands) and Hechtelse Heide (Belgium). Soldiers also practice airdrops from a helicopter for the first time (2 American CH-47 Chinooks and 1 Czech Mi-17 Hip).
Video: Alex van Noije
In total, about 80 container delivery systems and 1 heavy load were dropped. This was done in collaboration with American (C-130 Hercules), Polish (Casa C295M) and Italian (C-130 Hercules) colleagues. Falcon Leap provided the opportunity to train together and become familiar with each other's equipment and procedures. A possible airborne operation nowadays always takes place in collaboration with coalition troops. Interoperability, using the same procedures and working methods, is then essential. The hermetically sealed 'delivery container' is very suitable for providing poorly accessible troops with vulnerable items such as food or ammunition. This also applies to relief supplies to people in a disaster area.
During Falcon Leap, a so-called cross-loading was done for the first time. Dutch payloads were ejected from a Polish C-295M transport aircraft. A heavy load (more than 1,000 kilograms) has also been dropped for the first time, led by American soldiers. Being able to drop such loads broadens the deployability of the unit. In the future, the Airmobile Brigade wants to add form to this deployment to the operational 'toolbox'. The second week of the exercise revolved around parachute drops by soldiers on Ginkelse Heide, Heteren, Houtdorperveld, Renkum, Marnewaard (all in the Netherlands) and Hechtelse Heide (Belgium). Soldiers also practice airdrops from a helicopter for the first time (2 American CH-47 Chinooks and 1 Czech Mi-17 Hip).
Falcon Leap is organized by 11 Airmobile Brigade. The participating parachute units come from Belgium, Germany, France, Greece, Great Britain, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic and the USA. Falcon Leap coincides with the annual commemoration of Operation Market Garden in Ede. The 11th Airmobile Brigade and the 336 Squadron and the international partners support the commemoration with a paratrooper drop on 18 September. This paradrop was executed at the same locations near the Arnhem bridge as in 1944 (‘A bridge too far’).
Text: Alex van Noije, Joris van Boven, Defense
Photos: Alex van Noije, Joris van Boven, 11LMBVideo: Alex van Noije
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.