This week, Chief of Defence General Tom Middendorp held an introductory visit with the United States’ most senior military officer, General Martin Dempsey, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and met with members of the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington DC.
In addition, he opened the “American Falcon” training exercise in Texas, an army and air force units exercise supported by US Defence personnel stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.
Cooperation
The cooperation between the Netherlands and the United States was strongly emphasised during General Middendorp’s first meeting with General Dempsey. The two men discussed education and training issues in the United States, the current deployment of the armed forces and security field developments.
During a meeting at the Atlantic Council, General Middendorp spoke about the Dutch experiences and developments in the field of international cooperation and cited the extensive collaboration between the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. The Atlantic Council Board praised the Netherlands for its pragmatic approach to cooperation, aimed at making progress.
Dutch-American cooperation is also constantly evolving. About 150 members of 11 Airmobile Brigade and the Commando Corps are participating with U.S. units in Exercise American Falcon. This 5-week air assault exercise takes place 5 times a year at the army base in Fort Hood, Texas. General Middendorp also discussed the exercise with U.S. Lieutenant General Donald Campbell (Commander III Corps) and thanked him for the support.
Blind Trust
“In joint missions, we need to be able to trust each other blindly,” explained Middendorp. Exercises like American Falcon play an important role in the deployment readiness of Dutch units. “This huge training area offers virtually unlimited training options compared with the Netherlands, including weather conditions we are unfamiliar with. Here we can practice all day long, all year round. It gives me the opportunity to prepare my people for deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan to the maximum extent.”
Permanently Stationed
Air assault is the most intensive and complex form of cooperation between ground and air units. It requires good coordination between ground and air units and regular training. That is why, since the beginning of this year, the Joint Netherlands Training Detachment (JNTD), consisting of 23 army and air force troops, has been permanently stationed at Fort Hood. Eight Royal Netherlands Air Force Apache attack helicopters and, more recently, 2 brand new Chinook F-transport helicopters (with a third on the way) are also stationed at the army base.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff,November 29, 2012; Image: Defensie