A total of 37 helicopters and approx. 1,000 military personnel will be involved in the multinational training activities of exercise Falcon Autumn. The Netherlands Defence Helicopter Command provides their AH-64D Apache attack helicopter as well as AS-532 Cougar and CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters; the US Army Europe participates with UH-60 and CH-47F Chinook transport helicopters, and AH-64D Apache attack helicopters and the 1st Polish Army Brigade sends Mi-8/Mi-17 transport helicopters.
“In the complex world in which we live, international defense cooperation is of increasing importance for the maintenance of peace and security. The security situation calls for units that can be deployed internationally in the very short term. This places high demands on the ability to cooperate with units from different countries,” said Lieutenant Colonel Roy Hemmelder, Commander Air Task Force during exercise Falcon Autumn 2022. “By training and working with international partners, we improve our collaboration and the ability to act quickly together when the situation calls for it. We will do this during Falcon Autumn together with Polish and American helicopter units,” he added.
Exercise Falcon Autumn simulates the defence of national and Alliance territory in a collective environment which reflects realistic conditions and prepares participants for multinational or coalition operations. The Royal Netherlands Ground Forces 13th Infantry Battalion will be certified during tactical air manoeuvre missions employed in large-scale airdrop operations together with their Polish and U.S. colleagues.
The exercise scenario during Falcon Autumn is organized by 11 Airmobile Brigade and the Defence Helicopter Command. The airmobile brigade is one of the most heavily trained units of the Netherlands Ministry of Defence. All Royal Netherlands Air Force helicopters are organised within the helicopter command. The Lieutenant General Best Barracks in Vredepeel will be the home base for all participating aircraft in the coming weeks.
