Falcon Leap, an international paratrooper exercise organised by the Royal Netherlands Army’s 11 Air Mobile Brigade, has its roots in the commemoration of WW2’s Operation Market Garden. Manolito Jaarsma reports.
EXERCISE REPORT
Falcon Leap 2017
Acknowledgements: Thanks to Major Igor and to Alex of the 11LMB communications and media department for their assistance.
The sole air assault brigade in the Koninklijke Landmacht (Royal Netherlands Army, RNLA) order of battle, 11 Luchtmobiele Brigade (11LMB) is a light infantry unit composed of three infantry battalions, one reconnaissance squadron and five support companies.
As the RNLA co-operates closely with the German Army, some of its units fall under the Bundeswehr command structure – and the 2,000 personnel of 11LMB have been part of Germany’s elite Division Schnelle Kräfte (DSK, Rapid Forces Division) since 2014.
The Dutch brigade also works closely with Koninklijke Luchtmacht (Royal Netherlands Air Force, RNLAF) squadrons, coming together to form 11 Air Manoeuvre Brigade (11AMB). This consists of 11LMB and the Defence Helicopter Command’s 298 Squadron (CH-47D/F), 300 Squadron (AS532U2 Cougar) and 301 Squadron (AH-64D) – all based at Gilze-Rijen – partner…
