Atlantic Resolve: two US Army helicopter groups on move via Vlissingen, Netherlands
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| US Army Chinook and Black Hawk helicopters stored Vlissingen Sea Port, Netherlands. |
In the fall of 2021 the US Army deployed the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade helicopters to Europe for the “Atlantic Resolve” deployment exercise. Whereby the Brigade and it’s helicopters will deploy all over Europe for 9 months. At the same time the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade moved back to the United States after their 9 months European stay. Both helicopter transports were pivoted around the port of Vlissingen (NL) and the transport ship ARC Endurance.
The 1st ACB from Fort Hood (Texas) arrived in the port of Vlissingen onboard the transport ship ARC Endurance. 44 helicopters and rolling material were moved from the ship to shore, where the helicopters were re-assembled in a large hall. After re-assembling, the helicopters were transported to a nearby area, from where they will fly to the nearby Woensdrecht Air Base (ICAO code: EHWO). After this short check flight, the helicopters will fly further into Illesheim Army Air Base in Germany. The returning 1st CAB moved it’s helicopters from Germany to the Gilze-Rijen Air Base (ICAO code: EHGR) , as a buffer base close to the final destination of Vlissingen. When the incoming 1st ACB cleared the port of Vlissingen, the 1st CAB helicopters will fly to Vlissingen for disassembling and further transport back to the United States.
Host Nation Support
The United States asked the Netherlands for support with the relocation. The Dutch Defense deploys military personnel for this so-called "Host Nation Support." This mainly happens in the port of Vlissingen and around Gilze-Rijen Air Base and Woensdrecht Air Base .
The 1stCAB helicopters fly in groups from Germany to Gilze-Rijen Air Base in the last weeks of November, while the 1st ACB helicopters will fly around the same time to Woensdrecht Air Base and further into Germany.
Dutch deployment
The transhipment site in the port of Vlissingen is a 'temporary military object'. This is guarded day and night by army soldiers and dog teams. Navy units ensure the safety of the transport. For example, divers check the quays for explosives. The Royal Netherlands Army coordinates and supervises the entry of the helicopters.
On Monday November 22nd 2021, the first group of returning helicopters arrived at Gilze-Rijen Air Base during the afternoon and the evening.
On Friday November 26th 2021, a media moment was organized by the Dutch Army in the port of Vlissingen, at the quay of the”Verbrugge International” company. To see how the arriving helicopters were re-assembled in the large hall.
Photos and text: Joris van Boven, Alex van Noye
All photos were taken at Gilze-Rijen AB and Vlissingen Sea Port, the Netherlands
The 1st ACB from Fort Hood (Texas) arrived in the port of Vlissingen onboard the transport ship ARC Endurance. 44 helicopters and rolling material were moved from the ship to shore, where the helicopters were re-assembled in a large hall. After re-assembling, the helicopters were transported to a nearby area, from where they will fly to the nearby Woensdrecht Air Base (ICAO code: EHWO). After this short check flight, the helicopters will fly further into Illesheim Army Air Base in Germany. The returning 1st CAB moved it’s helicopters from Germany to the Gilze-Rijen Air Base (ICAO code: EHGR) , as a buffer base close to the final destination of Vlissingen. When the incoming 1st ACB cleared the port of Vlissingen, the 1st CAB helicopters will fly to Vlissingen for disassembling and further transport back to the United States.
Host Nation Support
The United States asked the Netherlands for support with the relocation. The Dutch Defense deploys military personnel for this so-called "Host Nation Support." This mainly happens in the port of Vlissingen and around Gilze-Rijen Air Base and Woensdrecht Air Base .
The 1stCAB helicopters fly in groups from Germany to Gilze-Rijen Air Base in the last weeks of November, while the 1st ACB helicopters will fly around the same time to Woensdrecht Air Base and further into Germany.
Dutch deployment
The transhipment site in the port of Vlissingen is a 'temporary military object'. This is guarded day and night by army soldiers and dog teams. Navy units ensure the safety of the transport. For example, divers check the quays for explosives. The Royal Netherlands Army coordinates and supervises the entry of the helicopters.
On Monday November 22nd 2021, the first group of returning helicopters arrived at Gilze-Rijen Air Base during the afternoon and the evening.
On Friday November 26th 2021, a media moment was organized by the Dutch Army in the port of Vlissingen, at the quay of the”Verbrugge International” company. To see how the arriving helicopters were re-assembled in the large hall.
VIDEO
All photos were taken at Gilze-Rijen AB and Vlissingen Sea Port, the Netherlands
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