Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/861022
SCENARIO On the 9th May, late in the evening Pathfinders of the KCT were dropped out of a civilian Shorts SC-7 Skyvan aircraft over Twente Airport and took positions around the airfield and set up mock-ups of SAM launchers and other tacti- cal vehicles or structures. The next day's afternoon, the counter-strike was launched, and assault troops of the 11th AMB were transported in to different positions in the vicinity of Twente Airport with Eurocopter AS532UL Cougar helicopters from 300th Squadron based in Naval Air Station (NAS) De Kooy, accompanied by two Boeing CH-47D/F helicopters from 298th Squadron from Deelen Air Base. The security was provided by two Boeing AH-64D Apache attack helicopters from 301st Squadron from Gilze- Rijen. During the assault, the transport helicopters moved the troops around in the area while the AH-64D Apache helicopters over-watched the area and provided fire sup- port when necessary. The Forward Air Control (FAC) and Close Air Support (CAS) role was performed by an Aero L-39C Albatros Jet Trainer of "skyline Aviation" from NAS De Kooy and a motorglider aircraft. The aircraft maintained continuous communication with the JTAC's and the L-39C Albatros performed simulated attacks where necessary. Later that afternoon all elements progressed towards the old Air Traffic Control Tower of the former military base, were the final stages of the operation concentrated, includ- ing the transport helicopters. After the area was secured and the enemy forces were eliminated, a Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft from 336th Squadron from Eindhoven Air Base landed to pick up the remaining troops and supplies at the end of the runway. CONCLUSION All elements involved expressed their happiness with the results of this short, but dynamic exercise and praised the unique location. The exercise was also appreciated by Twente Airport and people of local communities. It gener- ated positive exposure for the newly re-opened airport and attracted lots of spectators on the final day of the exer- cise. The 11th Airmobile Brigade looks back at a busy period in May. While elements are currently in Mali for Operation MINUSMA and exercise Red Dagger was conducted around Twente Airport, elements of the C-Company of the 13th Infantry Battalion trained with German troops of the 26th Regiment of Division Schnelle Kräfte (DSK) during opera- tion "Red Griffin 2017" in Germany from the 8th till 18th of May 2017. REPORT