Some 1,000 military personnel from 13 different countries are participating in Falcon Leap from September 5 through September 16. This parachute exercise with NATO allies focuses on international cooperation in airborne operations.
Falcon Leap is all about dropping cargo and paratroopers, another specialty of airmobile soldiers, along with the Air Force. That makes everything possible with a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. During the 1st week there are drops from the aircraft over the training areas in Marnewaard and Schaffen, Belgium. By dropping cargo from an aircraft, soldiers can still be resupplied during deployments in hard-to-reach places. It also allows people in disaster areas to be provided with food or aid packages.
The 2nd week revolves around dropping paratroopers over the Ginkelse Heide, Houtdorperveld and the Hechtelse Heide (Belgium). For this, transport planes and helicopters of the Air Force and international partners fly daily from Eindhoven Air Base to and from the drop zone.
In addition to the Netherlands and Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, France, Greece, Great Britain, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, the Czech Republic and the United States are participating in Falcon Leap. A number of countries are bringing aircraft and helicopters. By practicing internationally and using each other’s equipment and aircraft, the participants improve their procedures and mutual cooperation (interoperability).
Photos Rob Vogelaar
