11th Airmobile Brigade (Netherlands)
11 Air Assault Brigade | |
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11 Luchtmobiele Brigade '7 december' | |
Brigade general Cas Schreurs |
The 11 Air Assault Brigade[1] (Dutch: 11 Luchtmobiele Brigade) is the rapid light infantry brigade of the Royal Netherlands Army, focused on conducting air assault operations. Troops of the brigade are qualified to wear the maroon beret upon completion of the demanding training course, those qualified as military parachutists wear the appropriate parachutist wings. The brigade received the name "7 December" when the First Division "7 December" was disbanded in 2004.[2]
Since 2014, the brigade has been integrated into the Rapid Forces Division (German: Division Schnelle Kräfte) of the German Army.[3] When the 11 Air Assault Brigade operates integrally with the Defence Helicopter Command (Dutch: Defensie Helikopter Commando) of the Royal Netherlands Air Force they form the 11th Air Manoeuvre Brigade (11 AMB).[3] In 2003 in Poland (exercise Gainful Sword), 2012 in the Netherlands (exercise Peregrine Sword) and 2014 in Hungary the brigade completed its operational readiness tests to (re)apply for the "Air Assault" status. The successful qualifications demonstrated the ability to conduct a brigade-sized operation as 11 AMB.
History
Origins
The world's security situation changed drastically after the Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. In the Netherlands, the need arose for a rapid reaction force for expeditionary operations. Consequently, the 11 Air Assault Brigade was formed in 1992. Due to the highly specialised nature of the brigade the army decided that the brigade would not rely on conscripts, but instead recruit professional soldiers from other units. After ten years of pioneering, the brigade acquired its operational readiness status in October 2003.[4]
The emblem of 11 Air Assault Brigade is made up of a diving falcon on a maroon shield with two crossed swords underneath. The background color is related to the maroon berets worn by troops of the brigade. The maroon beret is the international standard for air landing troops. The EM stands for Expeditionare Macht, Expeditionary Force, which is a tradition derived from the emblem of the First Division "7 December".[3]
Bosnia
During the early formation days of the brigade, the brigade provided troops for the United Nations peacekeeping mission
Iraq
After the
Afghanistan
The Netherlands Armed Forces have had a military presence in Afghanistan since the early stages of Operation Enduring Freedom in October 2001. In December 2001, the Dutch government decided to deploy a reinforced company of approximately 200 personnel to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). For each rotation, one of the three infantry battalions of 11 Air Assault Brigade supplied a company.[5]
From 2006 onwards, the brigade regularly supplied the core fighting elements to the Battlegroups of
Mali
Since 2014, the Netherlands contributed troops to the UN peacekeeping mission
Tasks
The 11 Air Assault Brigade is a rapidly deployable and highly mobile force. The brigade operates either by foot, using light vehicles or using tactical or strategic airlift capabilities (such as
The brigade distinguishes a number of operational concepts.
Organisation
Locations
- Schaarsbergen: 52°03′20″N 5°52′53″E / 52.05556°N 5.88139°E
- Oranje Barracks, in Schaarsbergen: 52°01′53″N 5°53′41″E / 52.03139°N 5.89472°E
- Johan Willem Friso Barracks, in Assen: 52°59′30″N 6°32′13″E / 52.99167°N 6.53694°E
- Naval Base Parera, on Curaçao: 12°06′47″N 68°55′14″W / 12.11306°N 68.92056°W
Units
The 11 Air Assault Brigade consists of the following units:[9][10]
- 11 Staff Company, in Schaarsbergen
- 11 Infantry Battalion "Schaarsbergen
- 12 Infantry Battalion "Schaarsbergen
- 13 Infantry Battalion "Regiment Stoottroepen Prins Bernhard", in Assen
- 20 National Reserve Battalion, in The Hague
- 11 Brigade Reconnaissance Squadron "Schaarsbergen
- 11 Engineer Company, in Schaarsbergen
- 11 Supply Company, in Schaarsbergen
- 11 Medical Company, in Assen
- 11 Maintenance Company, in Schaarsbergen
All of the units of the brigade, except for the National Reserve Battalion, have demonstrated the capability to perform air assault operations, therefore the abbreviation AASLT is often added to the name of the companies or battalions.
Previously, the brigade also included 11 Mortar company and 11 Air Defense company, but these were disbanded after budget cuts in April 2011. Their tasks have been taken over by the artillery and anti-aircraft artillery.
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Insignia of the Grenadiers' regiment
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Insignia of the Rifle Guard regiment
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Insignia of the 'van Heutsz' regiment
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Insignia of the 'Stoottroepen Prins Bernhard' regiment
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Insignia of the Supply and Transport regiment
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Insignia of the National Reserves
Structure
Organisation of a battalion
An infantry battalion consists of a headquarters, three line companies and a patrol company. The infantry has a wide variety of means to performs its tasks and carries enough equipment in its backpacks to fight in the field for 72 hours. Since 2019, the 11th Infantry Battalion is airborne designated and all companies are airborne qualified. Moreover, the 12th Infantry Battalion has restructured the C and D Companies into designated SOF Support Companies. All infantry battalions are still required to perform air assault tasks on battalion and brigade level.
Organisation of an infantry company
An infantry company consist of a headquarters platoon, three line platoons, a mortars squad, sniper squad and fire support squad. The fire support squads consist of a JTAC team and FO team. The company's size averages 130 personnel, led by a captain who is assisted by his 2IC (an experienced lieutenant), a company first sergeant and operations & training sergeant (rank of master sergeant).
The line platoons are composed of three squads and a platoon headquarters. The three identical squads are commanded by a sergeant with a corporal as his second in command. The squad consists of eight men; two infantry sappers, two machine gunners who operate the FN Minimi light machine gun and two anti-armour gunners who operate the Panzerfaust 3 (very short-range anti-tank) and Panzerfaust 3 Dynarange (short-range anti-tank) anti-tank weapons. The platoon headquarters consist of the platoon commander (a 1st or 2nd lieutenant), the platoon sergeant (a first sergeant) and the platoon medic (a corporal).
Organisation of a patrol company
Since 2011, the brigade has fielded patrol companies. A patrol company consists of a headquarters platoon, two patrol platoons and a reconnaissance platoon. During deployments in
The reconnaissance platoons function as the eyes and ears of the battalion commander. They are deployed behind enemy lines, often days before the main assault force arrives; they therefore play a crucial role as ISTAR components for the battalion and brigade headquarters. The reconnaissance troops are selected from within the active battalion and trained within the platoons, they are experts in infiltrations and close target reconnaissance. Their independent operational capacities are supported by use long-range communications and SF Medics, the latter being capable of providing prolonged field care if needed. All reconnaissance platoon troops are airborne qualified.
11 Brigade Recconnaissance Squadron
The 11 Brigade Reconnaissance Squadron was formed in 2016 through the merger of the 103 Reconnaissance Squadron (Regiment Huzaren van Boreel) and the Pathfinder Platoon 'Madju' (Grenadiers' and Rifles Guard Regiment). The squadron is tasked with gathering intelligence to aid the planning process of the brigade (recces) and the marking of helicopter landing sites (HLS), drop zones (DZ) and landing zones (LZ) to enable brigade deployments. The squads feature integral specialists, such as snipers and communications specialists.
The Pathfinder Platoon 'Madju' was established in 2007 and is part of the 11 Brigade Reconnaissance Squadron. The Pathfinders function as the brigade's recces, in addition to being specialised in the marking of drop zones and landing zones for helicopters and paratroopers. Moreover, they are qualified to conduct Tactical Air Landing Operations and operate. The platoon operates in small squads of 6 men, all Pathfinders are military free-fall (MFF) qualified and thus capable of conducting HAHO and HALO airborne insertions.
11 Engineer Company
The 11 Engineer Company consist of engineer reconnaissance, advanced search teams, engineer platoons and a construction squad. The company supports the brigade with mobility and counter-mobility. Mobility support enables friendly troops to maneuver unobstructed by providing
11 Maintenance Company
The 11 Maintenance Company is tasked with the maintenance and repair of motorcycles, 4x4s, trucks, armament and electronics. In addition to on-base maintenance and repairs, the company is capable of fulfilling their duties in the field. Mechanics can provide battle damage repairs close to the frontline.
11 Supply Company
The 11 Supply Company provides the timely supply of ammunition, food, water, fuel and spare parts wherever the brigade operates. The company has access to a wide variety of vehicles for its tasks, ranging from large trucks and forklifts to the Luchtmobiel Speciaal Voertuig. In addition, the company is tasked with managing the deployment of the brigade to areas of operations. The company has recently played a significant role in the innovation of parachute supply (cargo delivery airdrops) which did not yet exist within the Netherlands Armed Forces. It is the only independent supply company outside of the non-integrated supply battalions.[12]
11 Medical Company
11 Medical Company consists of a company staff, a logistic platoon and three medical platoons. The company provides all emergency, curative and preventive medical care to the brigade. A significant share of the company assets are transportable by air.
20 National Reserve Battalion
20 National Reserve Battalion came under the command of the 11 Air Assault Brigade in 2012. A Colonel of the western regional military command is part of the brigade staff and commands national operations in the provinces of North Holland, South Holland en Utrecht, which are all part of the area of responsibility of the 11 Air Assault Brigade. The A and D Company are based in The Hague, the B Company in Bergen, the C Company in Amsterdam, the E Company in Stroe and the F Company in Schaarsbergen
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Helicopter Instructor
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Helicopter Handling Instructor
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Landing Point Commander
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Rigger Marshaller
Commanders
Below follows a list of the brigade's commanders:
- 1990 – 1993: Brigade general L.G. Dijkstra
- 1993 – 1995: Brigade general Jan Willem Brinkman
- 1995 – 1996: Brigade general G.J.M. Bastiaans
- 1996 – 1998: Brigade general J.R. Karssing
- 1998 – 2000: Brigade general Rein van Vels
- 2000 – 2001: Brigade general Leen Noordzij
- 2001 – 2003: Brigade general Peter van Uhm
- 2003 – 2006: Brigade general Koen Gijsbers
- 2006 – 2010: Brigade general Marc van Uhm
- 2009 – 2010: Colonel Willy Brons (temporary commander during Afghanistan deployment of Marc van Uhm)
- 2010 – 2021: Brigade general Otto van Wiggen
- 2012 – 2014: Brigade general Nico Geerts
- 2014 – 2017: Brigade general Kees Matthijssen
- 2017 – 2021: Brigade general Ron Smits
- 2021–present: Brigade general Cas Schreurs
References
- ^ "11 Air Assault Brigade". english.defensie.nl. Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ "Organisatie" [Organization]. 7DecemberDivisie.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 29 May 2018.
Op 1 januari 2004 werd 1 Divisie '7 December' opgeheven maar de naam leeft voort in de 11 LMB AASLT "7 December"
- ^ a b c "11 Luchtmobiele Brigade". defensie.nl (in Dutch). Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ "Geschiedenis 11 Luchtmobiele Brigade". defensie.nl (in Dutch). Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ a b c d Schoeman, J.R. (2017). "25 jaar Luchtmobiele Brigade: Een jonge, maar rijke geschiedenis in valkenvlucht". Militaire Spectator (in Dutch). 186 (2). Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ "The Dutch peacekeepers still haunted by ghosts of Srebrenica". The Independent. 9 July 2015. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
- ^ "Nederlandse bijdrage in Mali". defensie.nl (in Dutch). Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ Escritt, Thomas (6 July 2016). "Two Dutch soldiers killed in Mali peacekeeping accident". Reuters. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ "Gevechtseenheden". defensie.nl (in Dutch). Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ "Gevechtsondersteuning en logistiek". defensie.nl (in Dutch). Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ Oosthoek, Jack (4 July 2019). "Dubbele klapper in Schaarsbergen: Bronzen Schild en nieuwe toekomst voor 11 Geniecompagnie". Landmacht. 6. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ Strijbosch, Vanessa (1 December 2020). "Langgekoesterde 'wing' voor airdroppers: Luchtbevoorrading veel meer dan pakket afleveren". Landmacht. 10. Retrieved 6 May 2021.