Dutch and British pilots have completed intensive sorties over Salisbury Plain as they prepare to operate on NATO’s northern flank together next year.
Flying from Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset, aviators from the UK’s Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) and Royal Netherlands Air Force’s 860 Squadron launched missions that build on four years of training together as they prepare for a major allied Arctic exercise in 2026.
The joint workout – the fourth in a series of exercises codenamed Guardian Defender – saw the UK’s Commando Merlin and Commando Wildcat and Dutch NH-90 helicopters operate together, deepening operational understanding, sharing knowledge and expertise to ultimately create a joint force able of working side-by-side on the front line.
It builds on more than 50 years of operations together under the command of the UK Netherland Amphibious Force – Europe’s oldest force of its kind, which has seen the two nations share training, tactics and kit since 1973.
That historic relationship has been revigorated in recent times as the two NATO allies draw closer together, with Guardian Defender one of the cornerstones of this.
Lieutenant Commander Peter Straker, 845 Naval Air Squadron’s Warfare Officer, said: “Guardian Defender continues to strengthen and deepen interoperability between UK and Netherlands aviation, ground, and other elements within the strategic framework of the UK–Netherlands Amphibious partnership.
“The training provides a realistic and demanding environment that enables participating aircrew, engineers, and support personnel to refine tactics, techniques, and procedures essential to joint amphibious operations.”
860 Naval Air Squadron (as it was previously known) was in British service in World War 2 but comprised of Dutch pilots who had escaped mainland Europe to take the fight back to the Nazis.
The squadron was transferred to the Netherlands in 1946 after operating the Fairey Swordfish and later the Fairey Barracuda as a bomber/reconnaissance squadron.
The modern version of 860 have kept strong links to the UK and organised this year’s Guardian Defender, which saw them work with 846, 845 and 847 Naval Air Squadrons – which make up the Commando Helicopter Force.
The exercise also included CHF’s Mobile Air Operations Teams and Military Training Unit, with the aircraft practising a range of operational scenarios, including extraction of casualties and captured personnel.
All of this leads up to joint operations during the major NATO Arctic exercise – named Cold Response, which will see up to 25,000 allied personnel, ships and aircraft come together across the waters and coastlines of Northern Norway to show the strength and unity of the alliance in the region.
Commando Helicopter Force also recently deployed Merlin aircraft along with their engineers for two weeks with Royal Netherlands Navy amphibious ship HNLMS Johan de Witt for missions off the UK and French coasts.
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