In the fall of 2021, the US Army deployed the first Air Cavalry Brigade helicopters to Europe for the “Atlantic Resolve” deployment exercise. Whereby, the brigade and its helicopters get deployed all over Europe for nine months and at the same time, the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade moved back to the United States after completing their 9 months tenure in Europe. The first ACB from Fort Hood (Texas) arrived at the port of Vlissingen onboard the transport ship ARC Endurance. 44 helicopters and rolling material were moved from the ship to shore and the helicopters were then re-assembled in a large hall. After re-assembling, the helicopters were transported to a nearby area, from where they flew to the nearby Woensdrecht Air Base (ICAO code: EHWO). After this short check flight, the helicopters flew further into Illesheim Army Air Base in Germany. The returning first CAB moved its helicopters from Germany to the Gilze-Rijen Air Base (ICAO code: EHGR), as a buffer base close to the final destination of Vlissingen. When the incoming 1st ACB cleared the port of Vlissingen, the 1st CAB helicopters flew to Vlissingen for disassembling and further transported back to the United States.
Host Nation Support: The United States asked the Netherlands for support with the relocation. The Dutch defence deployed military personnel for this so-called “Host Nation Support.” This mainly happens in the port of Vlissingen and around Gilze- Rijen Air Base and Woensdrecht Air Base. The first CAB helicopters flew in groups from Germany to Gilze-Rijen Air Base in the last weeks of November, while the 1st ACB helicopters flew around the same time to Woensdrecht Air Base and further into Germany. Dutch deployment: The transshipment site in the port of Vlissingen is a ‘temporary military object’. This is guarded day and night by army soldiers and dog teams. Navy units ensure the safety of the transport. For example, divers check the quays for explosives. The Royal Netherlands Army coordinates and supervises the entry of the helicopters. On 22 November 2021, the first group of returning helicopters arrived at Gilze- Rijen Air Base during the afternoon and in the evening. On 26 November 2021, a media moment was organised by the Dutch Army in the port of Vlissingen, at the quay of the “Verbrugge International” company. The main crux of this event was to demonstrate the arriving of helicopters and their re-assembly in the large hall
Photos and text: Joris van Boven and Alex van Noye