A large-scale military exercise has started in several Dutch provinces as more than 1,000 soldiers and aircrew are set to wage a 3-week ‘war’ around the country.
The Ministry of Defense says that from Drenthe and Friesland in the north to Limburg and Zuid-Holland in the south, ground troops and air forces from across NATO will grapple with attacks from the putative enemy during Falcon Autumn, NATO’s long-standing test of its ground and air forces.
“Over the next 3 weeks, soldiers from Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and the United States will train in large-scale airborne operations,” the Defense Ministry says.
More than 30 aircraft, including the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s Apache, Cougar and Chinook helicopters will be committed. They are joined by Black Hawks from the US, MI-8 and MI-17 transport helicopters from Poland, as well as aircraft and ground vehicles from other countries.
The Ministry says that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is threatening to unravel global security. Falcon Autumn exercise is intended to amplify harmony among NATO member countries in the face of these new threats and to test the soldiers’ ability to deploy quickly.
The military warns the drill could cause noise nuisance, including from ammo blasts and low-flying helicopters
Locations and Dates for Falcon Autumn exercises in northern provinces
Ossesluis (Drenthe)
Friday 4 November: from 6:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Saturday 5 November: from 6:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Drachten (Friesland)
Monday 7 November: from 6:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Tuesday 8 November: from 6:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Wednesday 9 November: from 6:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Thursday 10 November: from 6:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Friday 11 November: from 6:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Emmen (Drenthe)
Tuesday 8 November: from 6:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Wednesday 9 November: from 6:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Balloërveld (Drenthe)
Tuesday 8 November: from 6:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Wednesday 9 November: from 6:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Prikkedam (Friesland)
Wednesday 9 November: from 6:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Thursday 10 November: from 6:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Friday 11 November: from 6:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Havelte (Drenthe)
Thursday 10 November: from 6:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Friday 11 November: from 6:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
De Haar (Groningen)
Tuesday 8 November: from 6:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Wednesday 9 November: from 6:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Thursday 10 November: from 6:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Friday 11 November: from 6:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.