During the Falcon Autumn military exercise, 2,500 soldiers, tanks, planes and helicopters will be practicing defense operations in the north over the coming weeks.
Translation by Traci White
Dagblad van het Noorden reports that there will be several hundred troops from an airborne division from Assen participating in the exercise, which is the largest of its kind in the Netherlands.
Falcon Autumn began on the 17th of September in the mid-Netherlands area and troops from the Netherlands and neighboring countries and equipment will be making their way through the north until the 12th of October. Sixteen helicopters, a C-130 transport plane, a German C-160 transport plane, two Belgian F16 fighter jets and two German Tornado fighter jets are being used during the exercise.
Planes, helicopters, jets
Ground forces from the airborne division, including German troops from Division Schnelle Kräfte, will be carrying out tactical missions with support from the planes, helicopters and jets. The vessels will be taking off and landing from an airbase in the village of Deelen in Gelderland.
Troops will be carrying out missions involving parachutists and dropping supplies from a plane, and soldiers will also practice jumping to the ground from transport helicopters. The exercises in the north will be happening at De Haar training grounds near Assen and Marnewaard near the Lauwersmeer. A number of missions will be open to the public.
Video: defensie.nl
