Category Archives: Military

Saviours of the North

Gallery 30 September 2024 Niek van der Zande

In the north of Italy, nestled between the Lago Maggiore and the Lago di Como, lies the airfield of Venegono. Besides being the location where Leonardo Aircraft constructs their training aircraft, this place is also the base for the Sezione Aerea Varese of the Guardia di Finanza (Italian fiscal police). This small unit, which is equipped with three helicopters, falls operationally under the Reparto Operativo Aeronavale Como.

The Guardia di Finanza is an Italian law enforcement agency charged with enforcing financial laws and regulations, as well as combating tax evasion, financial fraud, smuggling and other financial crimes. The name can be translated as “Financial Guard” or “Financial Guard” in Dutch.

It is a military police service, but it falls under the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Italy. It has its own hierarchy and is divided into several units, including units for tax inspection, border control, financial investigations and special units for combating organized crime.

The Guardia di Finanza has national jurisdiction over financial crimes and operations, but also cooperates internationally with other law enforcement agencies, particularly in the areas of cross-border financial crimes and tax evasion.

Members of the Guardia di Finanza undergo rigorous training and must possess both military and law enforcement skills. They are recruited from citizens who meet specific requirements and must go through a strict selection process.

The Guardia di Finanza is charged with a wide range of tasks, including the supervision of taxes, customs, financial crimes, money laundering, illegal trade and protecting economic interests of the Italian state. Other main tasks include aerial surveillance to detect illegal dumping and water extraction or pollution. The GdF’s air and naval assets are fundamental to carrying out these tasks and its daily presence in the air and at sea makes its search and rescue (SAR) activities important. The GdF is also deployed to provide support in national emergencies – for example during the Covid-19 pandemic, when GdF aircraft and helicopters transported medicines, medical staff and patients in isolation units.

Volpe501 over the port of Bellagio at the Lago di Como

The Guardia di Finanza, as a police and armed force, is an integral part of the “National System of Civil Protection”, the corps must deploy trained personnel and air-sea equipment to face crisis situations within a complex system that requires the interaction of many institutional actors and it can respond quickly and effectively even in unpredictable situations subordinate to the primary institutional tasks.

Every year, thousands of people are rescued in very dangerous situations by officers involved in situations such as the collapse of the Morandi Bridge in Genoa, weather emergencies and hydrological problems in several areas of the country and seismic events in the province of Catania. They are engaged in the search for missing persons, the rescue of people in difficulties, the fight against looting, the viability of damaged areas, the flight missions for qualified personnel and the transport of civilians and the reconnaissance missions using air-sea equipment and personnel of the “Anti-Terrorism and Rapid Response Service” and “Alpine Rescue of Customs Officers”.

The Guardia di Finanza also ensures support for public security in the mountain areas, through the Alpine Rescue Department, which is divided into many stations, spread throughout the country, dedicated to search and rescue operations and the protection of human lives.

The personnel working in this area are trained with support dog units at the Alpine School in Predazzo (Trent), using advanced techniques that provide the opportunity to work on snow, ice, cliffs and in case of emergency.

Alpine Rescue Units can achieve a certain level of broad and rapid operational projection. Their functions have been further expanded by important initiatives in training, order, organization and technical-logistical areas, allowing Alpine Rescue to use technological equipment in certain emergency situations and in the performance of police tasks.

Operationally, the Guardia di Finanza is organized as follows:

Territorial commands

• Six interregional commands

• Regional commands, one for each of the 20 Italian regions.

• Provincial commands, one for each Italian province.

Territorial units

• 74 Groups (including five Counter-Terrorism Rapid Reaction Groups)

• 104 Financial Police Units

• 198 companies

• 202 Lieutenant Units (Stations)

• 48 Brigades

• 26 mountain rescue stations

Aviation and naval units

• 15 Aeronaval operational units

o 16 Naval stations

o 41 Operational Marine Sections

o 13 Aviation Sections

Special departments

• Organized Crime Investigation Group (GICO):

• Counter-Drug Operations Group (GOA):

• Gruppo Anticrimine Tecnologico (GAT):

• Group for the protection of archaeological heritage: group for the recovery of stolen art

• Anti-terrorism Ready Deployment (ATPI): anti-terrorism and rapid response service

• Police dog department (K9).

The AB.412 is gradually phased out with the Guardi di Finanza with the arrival of the new AW.169s

The Guardia di Finanza aviation service has the following aircraft and helicopters:

Airplanes

• ATR.42-400MP

• P-72B (ATR.72MP)

• P.180 Avanti

Helicopters

• A.109

• AB.412

• AW.139

• AW.169

• NH.500

The Reparto Operative Aeronavale – Como

The ROANs (Reparti Operativi Aeronavali) of the Guardia di Finanza were created on January 1, 2000. They are the fundamental link in the command and control chain of the regional air force. Stationed in Genoa, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Cagliari, Naples, Vibo Valentina, Palermo, Bari, Termoli, Pescara, Ancona, Rimini, Venice, Trieste and Como, they carry out, with the help of air and naval assets, a constant and capillary control on the territory, inland waters, the territorial sea and the adjacent area.

The main role of the ROANs is to coordinate all operational and logistical activities of the departments under their command and to provide personnel management. At organizational level they are equal to the Provincial Commands.

The ROAN in Como reports directly to the Lombardy regional command of the Guardi di Finanza in Milan.

The departments covered by the ROAN in Como are the Sezione Area Varese based in Venegono Superiore and the Naval Station of Lake Como with the dependent maritime operational departments of Lake Maggiore (Cannobio), Lake Garda (Salò) and Lake Lugano (Casamoro – Porto Ceresio).

Sezione Aerea Guardia di Finanza Varese

Sine metu omnia aude – dare everything without fear

In 1958, after the introduction into service of a new helicopter, the Agusta-Bell AB.47J, a natural replacement for the less powerful AB.47G and with a cabin that allowed the carriage of any passengers, the first ‘Mountain’ Helicopter Section was established set up.

The first operations of the newly created section were carried out from the Como seaplane base, while within a few months the transfer took place to the heliport built in Intimiano (Como). In 1972 the Sezione Aerea Intimiano was transferred to the airport of Calcinate del Pesce in the province of Varese and thus became the Sezione Aerea Varese.

The airport of Calcinate del Pesce on the banks of the Lago di Varese

In January 1975 the AB.47Js were replaced by the new Breda-Nardi NH.500M, while in 1982 the Sezione Aerea was closed.

A few years later, July 14, 1988, it was reactivated as the Sezione Aerea Como. The new location is at Venegono Inferiore Airport (Varese), in one of the historic Aermacchi warehouses. Another important transition took place on February 3, 1997, when it returned to the name Sezione Aerea Venegono.

In 2002, the department moved to the new building north of the airport site, in the Venegono Superiore area, becoming completely independent of the airfield managed by Aermacchi and the local Aero Club. On August 1, 2012, the unit was then renamed Sezione Aerea Varese.

The airport of Varese Venegono with the large Leonardo facilities and the Guardi di Finanza facilities

The current unit in Venegono is led by a Pilot Officer, who has a staff of 39 soldiers in total, divided into an Operations Unit (pilots and air rescue operators), which is also led by an officer, an Efficiency Unit (specialists with the tasks of maintenance technicians and, during flight operations, rescue winch operators) and finally a Command Team (soldiers responsible for the offices, supervision and control of the barracks).

The current helicopter equipment of the Sezione Aerea consists of two AB.412HP type B aircraft (mountain version) and one UH.169A. What is remarkable is that the first UH.169 of the Guardi di Finanza was delivered to the Sezione Aerea Varese and not as usual to the Centro di Aviazione on Pratica di Mare. This was probably because the UH.169 (AW.169) is built at Leonardo on Vergiate, which is practically next to Venegono.

The fleet of the Sezione Aerea Varese in 2021

The main tasks of the Sezione Aerea Varese are certainly aerial reconnaissance, transport and participation in search and rescue operations.

The task of aerial reconnaissance includes many of the corps’ main tasks: state police, environmental protection, economic land control (CeTe) and border control.

Participation in search and rescue operations is the historical role of the so-called “mountain” air section. Supporting the SAGF (Soccorso Alpino Guardia di Finanza – Alpine Rescue Guardia di Finanza) and the CNSAS (Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico – National Alpine Rescue and Speleological Corps) is the core business of the flying Fiamme Gialle (Fiamme Gialle – yellow flames, is the nickname of the Guardia di Finanza) in the Alps.

The mountains around the Lago di Como form one of the areas where the SA di Varese’s helicopters can be found frequently

These functions are performed in a service district covering Lombardy, Piedmont (excluding the provinces of Asti and Alessandria) and la Valle d’Aosta. The total area of the area to be protected is 52,404 km² and the boundary line to be protected is 1,237 km, of which 780 km is outside the European Union (Switzerland). This includes the large lakes such as Lake Maggiore and Lake Como.

The task that the Sezione Aera Varese is most concerned with is contributing to mountain rescue operations. This important role, which the unit fulfills for the benefit of the community, is carried out by utilizing the synergy between the helicopter pilot, the winch operator and the rescue teams who use the helicopter to quickly get to inaccessible environments. Synergies that can only be achieved through continuous training, in particular for the safe use of the helicopter during the entry and exit of rescuers, or any dog teams, but especially for the use of the winch, a fundamental tool that allows rescuers allows you to get in and out in places where the helicopter cannot land. The Sezione Aerea Varese regularly provides this training activity for all SAGF stations in its territory and the CNSAS also participates in some of these exercises through specific protocols.

This continuous training activity leads to concrete results in frequent real-life operations. In the 20 years that the department has worked under the auspices of the ROAN, it has logged 10,155 flying hours. On average, five people were rescued per year and during dramatic events such as in 2008 in Valtellina and in 2018 in Val Ferret, more than 200 people were evacuated due to natural disasters, including many elderly people and children, but also nine young scouts who got lost on the mountain Boletto (Como) in January 2006.

During the frequent aerial reconnaissance for environmental protection, a significant number of waste dumps have been discovered in the area by the crews of the Sezione Aerea. Since 2004, an average of ten landfills have been discovered per year.

The constant economic control of the territory (CeTe), the primary task of the corps, has led the Guardia di Finanza forces to carry out hundreds of checks on aircraft flying as General Aviation to the airports in the district. Aerial reconnaissance is further intensified during the summer period when the Flight Branch conducts multiple missions to identify illicit cannabis plantations and, once identified, coordinate with ground patrols for subsequent forensic police activity.

The Nucleo Efficienza, with its own specialized personnel, guarantees the execution of various helicopter checks on the line during the pre- and post-flight phases, offering the pilots the necessary support during take-off and landing, which is fundamental when these are carried out in inhospitable areas, and is also present on board as a winch operator and technician.

Specialists carry out all planned maintenance activities in the hangar. The most frequent is the one defined as 1st technical level and consists mainly of visual inspections carried out every 25 flight hours.

In addition, the Nucleo Efficienza, as planned maintenance activities, carries out the more complex 2nd level technical inspections. These inspections are performed every 100 flight hours and multiples thereof and cover most mechanical, electrical, structural and avionic components on board.

The larger, 3rd level maintenance is not carried out at the own unit, but takes place at the Centro di Aviazione of the Guardia di Finanza on Pratica di Mare. This inspection takes place after 1200 flight hours.

The Guardia di Finanza is gradually taking the AB.412 out of service and switching to the AW.169. In addition to the UH-169A, which flies in Venegono, among other places, the Guardia di Finanza has also purchased the MH-169A.

The Guardia di Finanza flies two configurations of helicopters: the UH-169A (the utility version with an entry-level configuration) and the MH-169A FOC (military version with a full operational configuration). The UH-169A comes with wheeled landing gear and the MH-169A FOC is equipped with skid landing gear, more power and the latest generation of avionics called ATOS-RW/MMS with a mission console for day and night management night vision infrared cameras (FLIR) and search radar.

In Varese they are very proud of the UH-169 that was delivered in October 2020 and I received a detailed explanation about it.

The AgustaWestland AW169 is a twin-engine helicopter with 10 seats and a weight of 4.8 tons, developed and produced by the helicopter division of Leonardo (formerly AgustaWestland, merged into Finmeccanica since 2016). It is designed to share similarities with the larger AgustaWestland AW139 and AgustaWestland AW189.

On July 19, 2010 AgustaWestland formally announced at the Farnborough International Air Show that the AW169 was under development. According to AgustaWestland, the 4.5-ton AW169 is a light, medium, twin-engine rotorcraft intended for various utility operations; to reduce expected operating costs, it was decided early on that the AW169 would be very similar in both components and cockpit configuration to the larger AgustaWestland AW139.

On May 10, 2012, the first prototype of the type performed its maiden flight. The test program included a total of four prototypes; the second and third AW169s joined the test program later in 2012 and the fourth in 2013. AgustaWestland had initially expected the AW169 to receive flight certification in 2014, and had planned for the AW169 to enter production in 2015. On July 15, 2015, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued certification for the AW169.

The AW169 is a medium-sized twin-engine helicopter; at its launch it was the first completely new helicopter in its weight category in more than 30 years. Weighing approximately 4,500 kg and with a capacity of 7-10 passengers, it sits between the 3,175 kg 8-seat AW109GrandNew and the much larger 6,400 kg 15-seat AW139. The AW169 is powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210A FADEC turboshaft engines, which drive the main rotor at variable speeds to reduce external noise and increase efficiency. Newly developed dampers were installed between the main rotor blades to reduce vibration levels for a smooth passenger experience. It is the first production helicopter in its category with electronically operated landing gear. AgustaWestland has reported having several customers for the AW169, including the air ambulance, law enforcement, executive/corporate, offshore transportation and utility sectors.

The AW169 is equipped with several avionics systems, including a Rockwell Collins glass cockpit with three displays equipped with touchscreen interfaces, digital charts, dual radar altimeters, automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast tracking, health and usage monitoring systems (HUMS) and night vision goggles (NVG) compatibility . Many elements of the cockpit and avionics are similar to those of the AgustaWestland AW139 and the AgustaWestland AW189, providing a high level of support. Through the use of a four-axis digital automatic flight control system and a dual flight management system with terrain and traffic avoidance systems, the rotorcraft can be certified to be flown by a single pilot under instrument flight rules (IFR).

There is no auxiliary power unit (APU) installed in the AW169; instead, the transmission features a clutch that allows the rotors to be stopped while the port engine continues to run to power the onboard avionics and electrical systems. At customer request, the AW169 can be equipped with a full anti-icing system; Alternatively, a limited anti-icing system can also be integrated. To meet different customer requirements and preferences, the AW169 can be configured with numerous optional equipment, such as auxiliary fuel tanks, rescue hoist, cargo hook, emergency flotation aids, remote cameras, rappelling equipment, wire cutters, mission consoles, external speakers and external searchlights.

General features

• Crew: 1 or 2

• Capacity: 8 to 12 passengers, plus 250 kg (551 lbs) of luggage and cargo; or 1 stretcher, plus 7 supervisors; or 2 stretchers, plus 5 supervisors

• Length: 14.645 m (48 ft 1 in)

• Width: 2.530 m (8 ft 4 in) Horizontal transverse plane 3.205 m

• Height: 4.50 m (15 ft 0 in)

• Gross weight: 2,850 kg (6,283 lb)

• Max. takeoff weight: 4,800 kg (10,582 lb)

• Engines: 2 × Pratt & Whitney PW210A turboshaft with FADEC (735 kW, 1,000 hp each)

• Main rotor diameter: 12.12 m (39 ft 9 in)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 306 km/h (190 mph, 165 kn)

• Never exceed speed: 306 km/h (190 mph, 165 kn) Power on with both engines running

• Range: 820 km (510 mi, 440 nmi)

• Endurance: 4h 20m

Aviation, Military

Hold the Line

Gallery 30 October 2022 Niek van der Zande

Last September the Fallschirmjägerregiment 31 of the Bundeswehr held a week-long exercise on and near the small airfield of Karlshöfen, which is north of Bremen. During one of the days, a Super Lynx of Marinefliegergeschwader 5 joined the action in order to exercise sling operations with the Super Lynx.

The Germany Navy operates a fleet of 24 Super Lynx Mk.88a helicopters

Purpose of the exercise on that particular day was to practice sling load operations between the army’s ground team and the navy’s helicopter crew. In order to do so, a Super Lynx traveled the short distance from Nordholz Naval Air Station to Karlshöfen airport.

Ground crews wait as the Super Lynx approaches the pickup points

After arrival at Karlshöfen, a short briefing was held with all participants and the underslung cable was attached to the cargo hook of the Super Lynx. Meanwhile, three pallets with “cargo” were positioned next to the runway.

The ground crew stands prepared as the Super Lynx approaches them

When everything was prepared, the helicopter crew took off and flew towards the first pallet. Over there the helicopter descended to about 5 meters so that the static line reached the ground riggers. Before any further action could be taken, first the riggers had to pick the line with a hook. This hook was grounded into the earth in order to discharge static electricity from the helicopter. Once this was the case, the pallet was hooked onto the cable and the helicopter hoisted it into the air.

The cargo is hooked onto the helicopter’s sling

The helicopter then flew a circuit with the 400 kilo cargo attached. The cargo was then lowered onto the ground and after grounding the helicopter again, the soldiers could unhook the cargo from the sling. All this was done directly underneath the helicopter, with the strong downwash of the rotorblades blowing at you.

After a circuit around the airfield, the cargo is dropped off again

This exercise was repeated at all three pickuppoints for about an hour, after which it was time to take the sling cable abooard again and to proceed back to Nordholz.

The days of the Super Lynx are numbered with the German Navy, as their successor – the NH.90 – is starting to enter service.

Naturally this could only be done after the team from MFG 5 made a nice flyby at the airfield.

The video below gives an impression how close the helicopter came during the exercise

Aviation, Military

Throwback – Exercise Cerberus Guard

Gallery 21 March 2021 Niek van der Zande

In March 2013 the area around the former Twenthe Airbase was the scene of a large exercise called Cerberus Guard where airmobile forces had the objective to capture the airfield. This article is a throwback to the exercise.

Troops of 11 Airmobile Brigade captured the airfield

After capturing the airfield, an operating base was established from where the forward bases in Losser and Oldenzaal were supported. From these bases several actions took place, ammongst others in the FC Twente Stadium.

Helicopters from the Defense Helicopter Command approach the airfield in order to drop of troops.

But first during Exercise Cerberus Guard Twenthe airfield had to be captured. The night before, already some pathfinders were dropped close to the airfield. Then on Wednesday 20 March troops of 11 Airmobile Brigade were transported by Cougars and Chinooks of the Defense Helicopter Command to capture the airfield.

A 298 Squadron Chinooks drops troops of 11 Airmobile Brigade at Twenthe airfield.

Troops were dropped close to the runway and fought their way towards the control tower, where the “enemy” occupied several buildings. The goal was to clear this area and to establish control of the airfield.

Twenthe army — Airmobile troops occupy the area next to the runway ait Twenthe airfield after being dropped of.

A Chinook brings in additional troops and supplies

After access to the airfield was secured, the Pathfinders took control of the runway, so that they could guide Hercules aircraft to the airfield. These aircraft would fly daily replenishment missions from Eindhoven Airbase to Twenthe, in order to supply the troops with all things they required for their mission. This ranged from food to ammunition.

This also proved to be a valuable training for the Hercules crew, as being able to perform tactical operations in the Netherlands is quite rare.

Hercules Twenthe — A C-130H-30 climbs out of Runway 06 after a tactical landing

Aviation, Military

Exercise Blue Wings 2020 – There’s a first time for everything

Gallery 27 September 2020 Niek van der Zande

In August 2020 a truly unique exercise took place in Germany: Exercise Blue Wings 2020. This exercise marked the first time that aircraft from the German Luftwaffe and Israeli Air Force (IAF) operated jointly in German skies.

After the Luftwaffe had already taken part twice in Exercise Blue Flag, which took place at IAFs Ovda airbase, it was now time to return the honour. On the 17th of August, a detachment of 180 men and women from several IAF units started the exercise at Nörvenich Air Base, just south of Cologne. Nörvenich is the home of Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 31 “Boelcke”, flying the Eurofighter.

F-16C Barak — An F-16C-40-CF “Barak” thunders down Nörvenichs runway for another Blue Wings mission.

The first week of the exercise primarily consisted of getting to know the airspace in preparation for the “MAG (Multinational Air Group) Days” exercise – an international event that takes place four times a year.

An F-16D-40-CF Barak taxies to the runway for another exercise mission over southern Germany. During most of the missions four F-16s, one Nachshon Eitam and one KC-707 took part. First the supporting KC-707 and Nachshon Eitam would take off, after which the fighters followed.

On Tuesday the 18th of August, a mixed formation of German and Israeli aircraft perfromed a fly-by over the sites of Dachau Concentration Camp, in memory of the Holocaust victims, and Fürstenfeldbrück Air Base, in memory of 11 Israeli Olympic delegation members that were murdered in the 1972 Olympics terrorist attack.

A visiting Israeli delegation means an increased level of security. Next to Luftwaffe patrols inside the airbase, the outside was guarded by German police, as well as unmarked (but clearly present) Israeli security

As part of the exercise, six “Barak” (F-16C/D) fighter jets, two “Re’em” (Boeing 707) aircraft, a “Nachshon-Eitam” (Gulfstream G-550) and a “Nachshon-Shavit” (Gulfstream G-V) aircraft landed at the Nörvenich Air Base. The Baraks were flown by members of 101 and 105 Squadrons, both based at Hatzor. The Re’ems were operated by 120 Squadron (nicknamed Giants), normally based at Nevatim. The two Nachshons were both flown by 122 Squadron, also based at Nevatim.

It does not get more ugly than this. The Nachshon Eitam is a highly modified Gulfstream 550 business jet and is used for Conformal Airborne Early Warning tasks.

101 Squadron

101 Squadron of the Israeli Air Force, also known as the First Fighter Squadron, is Israel’s first fighter squadron, formed on May 20, 1948, six days after Israel declared its independence. Initially flying the Avia S-199, it has since operated the Supermarine Spitfire, North American Mustang, Dassault Mystere IV, Dassault Mirage IIICJ, IAI Nesher and IAI Kfir. It currently operates out of Hatzor Airbase, flying the F-16C Fighting Falcon.

101 Squadrin F-16C — The 101 Squadron badge is clearly shown on the tail of F-16C-40-CF 536

During Exercise Blue Wings 101 Squadron took part with the F-16C-40-CF Barak

105 Squadron

The 105 Squadron of the Israeli Air Force, also known as The Scorpion, was founded in December 1950 as a Spitfire squadron and has since operated the P-51 Mustang, Dassault Super Mystere, IAI Sa’ar, and F-4 Phantom II. It currently operates F-16Ds at Hatzor Airbase.

Some of the 105 Squadron aircraft during the exercise. The F-16D-40-CF Barak is a highly modified F-16, which shows amongst others through the avionics bay on the spine of the aircraft

120 Squadron

The 120 Squadron of the Israeli Air Force, also known as the Desert Giants (former International Squadron), is a Boeing 707 Phalcon and KC-707 Re’em squadron based at Nevatim Airbase. Eventually the KC-707s will be replaced with newly ordered KC-46s.

Old but Gold. During Exercise Blue Wings two KC-707 Re’em tanker aircraft were also deployed to Nörvenich Airbase.

122 Squadron

The 122 Squadron of the Israeli Air Force, also known as the Nahshon Squadron (former Dakota Squadron), is a G550 squadron based at Nevatim Airbase. The Squadron has five G550 (G550 “Nachshon-Eitam” and G-V (“Nachshon-Shavit”) with two aircraft are used for Airborne early warning and control (CAEW or Conformal Airborne Early Warning, IAI EL/W-2085) and three are used for Signals intelligence (SEMA or Special Electronic Missions Aircraft).

Nachshon IAF — Emphasizing that this is a special missions aircraft is the fact that there are no nationality markings or registration worn on this Nachshon Shavit; the registration could only be seen on the aircraft’s crew ladder.

120 Squadron operates a mix of Nachshon Eitam (CAEW) and Nachson Shavit (SIGINT) aircraft

TLG 31 “Boelcke”

The Tactical Air Force Wing 31 “Boelcke” is one of four Eurofighter squadrons. With the fighter jet, the squadron makes its contribution to alliance and national defense. This mission includes ensuring air combat capability and establishing the Eurofighter’s air-to-ground capability for the Air Force. The squadron develops procedures and training principles for pilots and technicians for all German Eurofighter associations in order to establish the air-to-ground capability of the fighter jet.

A “Boelcke” Eurofighter is about to land at its homebase Nörvenich

Sources: Luftwaffe, Israeli Air Force, Wikipedi a, Scramble

Aviation, Military

Sleeping beauties in the morning sun

Gallery 26 September 2020 Niek van der Zande

In August 2020 some work needed to be done in the depots of the Dutch Nationaal Militair Museum. Because of this, several sleeping beauties (otherwise not visible to the public) were parked outside in the morning sun on the platform of the former Soesterberg Airbase.

USAF F-4 Phantom Soesterberg — The true star of the exhibition is this F-4 Phantom in the colours of the 32nd TFS that used to be based at Soesterberg

The National Military Museum is situated on the former air base at Soesterberg. It combines the collections of the former Military Aviation Museum in Soesterberg and Army Museum in Delft. There are numerous pieces on display, including tanks, planes, armoured vehicles and helicopters.

Fokker S-14 Machtrainer Soesterberg — The Fokker S.14 is a unique Dutch product; in total only 21 have been built and 3 have been preserved. This L-11 stands in a beautiful morning sun on the platform near the NMM in Soesterberg.

Considering the fact that a heatwave was taking place, as well as that we were in the middle of school holidays, the choice was made to visit the site in the early morning.

T-37 Soesterberg — The NMM does not only display Dutch aircraft, but also foreign aircraft related to Dutch avaiation. In this case the T-37 Tweety Bird is displayed since Dutch (and other NATO) pilots received their jet training on this aircraft in the USA

At 7.30 in the morning the August summer sun provides a beautiful low light, which emphasizes the beautiful lines and pristine conditions of these aircraft. Some are so well preserved that you could almost fire them up and fly away.

NF-5B KLu Soesterberg — The NF-5 was a variant of the F-5 that was license built in Canada. This variant was similar to the CF-5, but had more powerful engines. In total 105 NF5’s were delivered to the Koninklijke Luchtmacht. This NF-5B wears the markings of 316 Squadron.

These aircraft were all moved back inside once the maintenance work in the depot was finished. When will we see them aiagin? Hopefully very soon….

Hawker Hunter Soesterberg — Hawker Hunter N-122 on the platform in front of the NMM with the ATC control tower of the former Soesterberg Airbase in the background.

Do you want to know more about the NMM and the former Soesterberg Airbase? Then visit the WEBSITE of the NMM.

Aviation, Military, Transport

Year Overview 2019

Video 15 January 2020 Niek van der Zande

The annual overview is now online. Enjoy 12 minutes of sights and sounds.

Aviation, Military

Exercise Épervier 2019

Gallery 18 October 2019 Niek van der Zande

From August 23 to 30, 2019, six Mirage 2000-5 of the Groupe de Chasse 1/2 “Cigognes” participated in exercise Épervier 2019, from Payerne air base in Switzerland. This is an air training that allows French air defense pilots, to perform complex missions with the Swiss F/A-18 Hornet.

Mirage takeoff at Payerne during exercise Épervier 2019 — An Armée de l’Air Mirage 2000-5 departs from Payerne’s runway

Arriving from Luxeuil Air Base, the 79 airmen joined the town of Payerne in northwestern Switzerland on August 23rd. For the 2019 edition of the exercise “Épervier”, the fifteen pilots of the “Cigognes” trained missions of a very high tactical scenarios alongside Swiss F/A-18 Hornet pilots of Fliegerstaffel 11. Organized by the Swiss Air Force, on their largest military air base, this bilateral exercise aims to consolidate the existing links between the two nations but also to carry out joint air defense missions: the main mission of the Mirage 2000-5 and Swiss F/A-18 Hornets.

Mirage and Hornet at Payerne during exercise Épervier 2019 — Mirages and Hornets return after a mission

Mirage 2000-5 at Payerne during exercise Épervier 2019 — A “Cigognes” Mirage in front of Payerne’s famous church

To ensure the “first-in-first” air defense mission, the fighter jets trained four rounds a day for one week to deal with air-to-air threats during complex-level missions. mixed fighter forces operation (MFFO), also known as mixed patrols, composed of both Mirages and Hornets.

Mirages taxi out for another mission during exercise Épervier 2019 — Mirages taxi out for another mission

Hornet landing with traffic sign — Watch out for low flying aircraft

Fighting over the snow-capped Swiss mountains, the pilots, whether they are young qualified or more experienced patrolmen, play blue air (friendly forces) and red air (enemy forces) in turn.

Airbus A.400M during exercise Épervier 2019 — Transportation support was delivered with an A.400M

On Friday 30 August one more mission was flown before the French contingent returned to their homebase in Luxeuil.

Aviation, Military

75 years Market Garden commemoration

Gallery 9 October 2019 Niek van der Zande

The month of September is traditionally the period when Operation Market Garden is commemorated in the Netherlands. This year was the 75th anniversary of this failed operation.

Airborne soldiers dropped over the Ginkel heath

On Friday the 20th of September the Ginkelse Heide area was the scene of the rehearsals for the 75 Years Market Garden commemmorations.
Since I had the idea that the crowd would be immense on the Saturday, I decided to have a look at these rehearsals.

That day three waves of paradrops were flown. I missed the first wave, since it was decided to close the N224 road at that point. I was then stuck in the forest, 600 meters away from the drop zone.

When the 2nd wave was flow, I quickly realised that light conditions were terrible, looking straight into the sun. I therefore decided to relocate and was able to face the drops from the front when the 3rd wave was flown.
All in all it was a very impressive sight to see all these paratroopers jump from the planes.

One of the international participants was a United States Marines Corps Hercules

Soldiers jump from a Koninklijke Luchtmacht Hercules

Aviation, Military

Exercise Orange Bull

Gallery 30 July 2019 Niek van der Zande

Between 1 and 5 July 2019 exercise Orange Bull was held in the Netherlands. Part of the exercise took part at Twente Airport.

C-130 Hercules Koninklijke Luchtmacht — A 336 Squadron Hercules takes off from Twente Airport

Between 1 and 5 July 2019 exercise Orange Bull was held at Twente Airport. Orange Bull is an exercise from the Royal Netherlands Air Force 336 Squadron, based at Eindhoven Airbase. During this exercise several special forces like Commandos and the 11th Airmobile Brigade took part as well.

As part of the exercise, Twente Airport was the location for Tactical Air Landing Operations. This meant that that army pathfinders would guide the aircraft to the runway, where they had indicated the landing zone with orange markers. The loading crew would then quickly load and unload troops and vehicles, after which a tactical departure would follow.

Tour de Suisse – Day 3: Axalp

Gallery 24 October 2018 Niek van der Zande

After our days at Payerne and Buochs & Emmen, we saved the best for last. On Thursday the 11th of October we visited the Fliegerschiessen at the Axalp – Ebenfluh range, one of the things that had been on my to-do list for a very long time.

Getting there

Tschingel climb — The climb onto the Tschingel started in the dark

Visiting Axalp airshow is not an easy thing to do, as the shooting range where this even takes place is located at an altitude of 2240m. This means that you can’t simply drive there, get out of your car and enjoy the show. There is a whole lot more effort required.

Tschingel Axalp — There is not really a path towards Tschingel

In order to be on the Tschingel mountain on time, an early start was required. At 05.30 the shuttle bus was taken from Brienz train station. This bus brought you in 40 minutes to the mountain village of Axalp at an altitude of 1540m. At this point we transited into the Axalp-Windegg skilift that brought us to an altitude of 1910m. from there on the “fun part” started, a 2 hour walk of about 2km, in which a further 300 meters were scaled. This is no walk in the park at all, as you start in the dark (it only starts to get light after 7.00) and the terrain is very unprepared/steep, there is no real track. You only know where to go because of the guidelines set out by the military and the lights of other climbers in front of you; a torch is absolutely needed.

So, after climbing for about 2 hours the destination was finally reached. The last part of the climb was for sure the toughest with a gradient of approximately 60%. At this point I was sweating like a donkey and was very happy that I brought an extra t-shirt, as the first one was soaked and there was a bitter cold wind. After I had regained my breath, I could finally enjoy the beautiful view over lake Brienz and the surrounding mountains.

We then waited for the first aircraft to arrive at the Axalp range. The Axalp-Ebenfluh range is a shooting area that was established in 1942. The Swiss Air Force uses this area to practice air-to ground gunnery, during which the Hornets and Tigers shoot their canons on ground targets mounted on the rock face. Every year in October this airshow is organized so that the audinece can also view the shooting exercises. Next to that, other aerial displays are also shown on these days.

axalp target — Shooting at one of the targets with high-explosive rounds

The morning part

The airshow only takes place in the afternoon, but in the morning there is still plenty to see, as the shooting part is practised by the F-5s and F/A-18s. During these practice runs we got our first taste of what awaited us later that day. It all started with the arrival ofthe Hornets, this formation of four aircraft flew low though the valley, meanwhile dropping flares, to ensure they got our attention.

Then they approached the targets from all different directions, shooting their cannons and using the afterburners to manoeuvre through the area.

Once the Hornets had finished their part of the fun, it was time for the F-5 Tigers. The shooting from the Tigers was te main reason why I came here, as this was the final time that the F-5s would shoot their cannons at the Axalp Range. The F-5 will finally be withdrawn from service in 2026 (a replacement is currently being sought), but will already be disarmed this year. From then on, the F-5 will only act as an Agressor aircraft and will still perform target towing duties. The F-5 pilots surely wanted to leave in style, as already during the practice runs they showed up from behind the audience and shot their guns at the same moment. Compared with the full afterburners, this scared the hell out of you.

Then it was time for the lunch break, or as the Swiss probably call it Raclette-time. Everywhere around us we saw campinggaz burners coming out of the backpacks and soon people were enjoying their fondue or raclette at 2240m altitude. We came to the conclusion that it was much easier to walk towards the catering tent and just buy a Raclette Sandwich over there.

Towards the end of the lunchbreak Cougar helicopters started flying in from nearby Meiringen airbase to drop of the VIP guests, these guests did not have to walk up the mountain and had an easy arrival. At this point also the REGA helicopter and Swiss Air Force rescue helicopters arrived. They were both parked at the mountain in order to be ready to provide assistance for the several thousands of spectators, if need be.

Rega EC.635 Axalp — The Rega rescue helicopter parked at Axalp

Afternoon action

Then it was time for the airshow to start. This started with the Hornets that we had already seen practising in the morning. Since we now already had an idea what to expect, we could try to get the best pictures of their display.

Next up was the Cougar display, this display was started with a huge amount of flares and then hugged the mountainsides. A nice extra was the wave from the crew, wearing orange gloves for this.

After the Cougar had left, 2 more Cougars approached. Both were carrying Bambi Buckets full of water, to display the fire fighting skills of the Swiss Air Force. Both of them dropped the water right on the target, so this must have been a succesfull mission.

Then narrator then warned us that an unidentified aircraft was approaching the area and that the Swiss Air Force mission control centre would scramble two QRA Hornets from Payerne. The fully armed aircraft quickly intercepted the intruder (in reality a Swiss Air Force Citation jet) and then showed all the techniques that are used in Air Policing. The goal of this was to establish contact with the intruding aircraft to ultimately force him to land at a desired airfield.

After the Citation had “landed” successfully, three aircraft showed up. These aircraft were the PC-7, PC-21 and F/A-18, as every fighter pilot will fly on all these types before becoming a qualified fighter pilot.

The formation was then split up, after which the Hornet Solo Display was performed. When the Hornet finished the display, the PC-21 display took over, showing the flexibility of this new training aircraft.

After this display was finished, the moment we had waited for came, the F-5s approached the area once more for their final shooting exercise. This display was even faster and louder than the one we had enjoyed in the morning. This did not make it easy to take pictures, but just enjoying the sights and sounds was already great. Finally two more F-5s joined the fun, and these had high-explosive rounds loaded into their cannons. Seeing them shoot at the targets was an absolute spectacle.

As this was the final F-5 round at Axalp, the organisation had arranged something special to close this era. The six F-5s that had been shooting at Axalp joined up with the six Patrouille Suisse F-5s and toghether this formation of 12 Tigers flew across Axalp. The Patrouille Suisse then continued to show their complete show, which is rather spectacular in this mountain environment.

The Patrouille Suisse show was also the final act of the day, so we could start the descent towards the skilift. If you thought that climbing the mountain was tough, then be prepared for this. As the mountain is very steep, only stepping dow carefully was possible (even though some locals were almost running down). This has a great impact on your legs, knees and ankles. Once at the skilift, it was finally time for some rest, which continued in the bus down towards Brienz.

Niek van der Zande Photography

Category Archives: Military

Saviours of the North

The Reparto Operative Aeronavale – Como

Sezione Aerea Guardia di Finanza Varese

General features

Performance

Hold the Line

Throwback – Exercise Cerberus Guard

Exercise Blue Wings 2020 – There’s a first time for everything

101 Squadron

105 Squadron

120 Squadron

122 Squadron

TLG 31 “Boelcke”

Sleeping beauties in the morning sun

Year Overview 2019

Exercise Épervier 2019

75 years Market Garden commemoration

Exercise Orange Bull

Tour de Suisse – Day 3: Axalp

After our days at Payerne and Buochs & Emmen, we saved the best for last. On Thursday the 11th of October we visited the Fliegerschiessen at the Axalp – Ebenfluh range, one of the things that had been on my to-do list for a very long time.

Getting there

The morning part

Afternoon action

Life Through a Lense