Dutch helicopters close jubilee year

The helicopters of the Netherlands' Helicopter Defence Command celebrated a significant anniversary last year.

Besides providing an important contribution to missions abroad, they proved always ready to stand for national tasks.

So in 2009, they supported a range of mission on their home turf including Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, patient transport and fires.

Both Lynx and AB-412 helicopters are ready for day and night rescue operations. The Lynx are stationed at Naval Air Station De Kooy in Den Helder and belong to 7 Squadron. The squadron, which is marking 60 years, provides training for the crew of the Lynx helicopter, but also carries out the SAR task, completing 40 mission in 2009.

The AB-412 SAR helicopter from 303 Squadron at Leeuwarden Airbase marks its 50th year. The unit is tasked with Search and Rescue but also patient transport for people living on the Frisian Islands along the northern coast of the Netherlands. During 2009, the AB412s carried 130 patients.

The transport helicopter fleet of the Defence Helicopter Command consists of the Cougar and Chinook helicopters at Gilze-Rijen Airbase. The Cougar is operated by 300 Squadron, while 298 Squadron fly the Chinook. In late August two helicopters made a major contribution to fighting a fire at Schoorl dunes. The aircraft were operated and refueled from De Kooy and flew 37 water dropping missions, each time pouring 9000 litres of water, while the Cougar made 89 sorties drooping 2000 litres of water at a time.

Furthermore, the Cougar stood in for the AB412 at Leeuwarden Air Base. In total, 12 patients were flown by the Cougars in 2009

Two Apache attack helicopters, with 301 Squadron, also based at Gilze-Rijen Airbase, assisted the Police during a search for two people near the base. The crews used the aircraft's IR sensors to locate the people.

Gilze-Rijen Airbase is also the home of the RNLAF's small fleet of Alouette IIIs assigned to 300 Squadron. These have just marked their 45th year of service, a record for the air arm as no other flying machine has been by the RNLAF for so long.. Today, the helicopters are used for calibration flights and as a photographic platform.