When operational, 301 and 302 Squadrons at Gilze-Rijen - near Eindhoven - will form the armed element of the RNLAF Tactical Helicopter Group, which, in turn, forms the aviation element of the Netherlands' 11 Air Manoeuvre Brigade (AMB) operating alongside the Royal Netherlands Army's 11 Air Mobile Brigade, based at Schaarbergen, near Arnhem.
The transport helicopter element includes Eurocopter Cougars and Boeing CH-47 Chinooks based at Soesterberg, while 299Sqn, based at Gilze-Rijen, is tasked with a scout role, using BO105s that are due to be replaced by a light utility helicopter.
Changes in the Netherlands armed forces in the 1990s led to the formation of 11AMB as the national spearhead. In a wider, NATO, sense it can be part of the 1st German/Netherlands Corps, or the Multinational Division - Central, alongside Belgian, German and UK assets.
Source: Flight International
