11 Luchtmobiele Brigade
Encyclopedia
The 11 Luchtmobiele Brigade (Air Assault) '7 December' (11 Luchtmobiele Brigade, or 11 LMB) is the elite rapid-reaction air assault
unit of the Royal Netherlands Army
. Its operators are trained to be deployed via helicopters (using fast-rope and rappelling) and fixed-wing aircraft (parachute
), and can be deployed anywhere in the world within 7 to maximally 20 days. Combined with the helicopters of the Royal Netherlands Air Force
, they form the 11 Air Manoeuvre Brigade (11 AMB).
Signalling the capabilities of its soldiers, the brigade is airborne
qualified, the men of 11 LMB operators wear the maroon beret
. 11 LMB soldiers can be deployed by helicopter (fast-rope and rappelling) and fixed-wing aircraft (parachute). The emphasis is on air assault operations (by helicopters and Air Landing Operations), but each battalion
has a dedicated parachute trained company. The brigade recce unit and the battalions' recce platoons are all paratrooper
.
The primary task of 11 LMB is to ensure the defense of the Netherlands and its NATO allies. Its second primary task is to be deployed worldwide as an expeditionary, peacekeeping and peace-enforcing formation. It has seen action in Bosnia, Macedonia, Cyprus
, Kosovo
, Iraq
, Democratic Republic of the Congo
and is now deployed in Afghanistan
.
Other than peace(-keeping) missions, the 11 LMB can also be deployed for humanitarian aid missions, evacuation, disaster relief and (combat) search and rescue (CSAR
).
CH-47D Chinook
and Eurocopter Cougar
MK2 transport helicopters provide Tactical airlift for Air Assault brigade, while battlefield support and armed reconnaissance is conducted by RNLAF AH-64D Apache helicopters. The Apaches are the eyes in the sky for the air assault troops on the ground, and can engage as part of direct close air support
.
The combined formation goes by the name of 11 Air Manoeuvre Brigade. The GOC of the Air Manoeuvre Brigade (AMB) is always the GOC 11 AASLT Bde, his 2 i/c is always the GOC THG (Tactical Helicopter Group) of the RNLAF. The THG comprises the Chinook, Cougar and Apache squadrons of the RNLAF and their dedicated support and logistics units.
Personnel earmarked for 11 air manoeuvre brigade require a training that is more extensive and more demanding than regular basic training. Upon successful completion the new troops will be awarded the maroon beret which is the distinguishing mark of the brigade.
A special air assault school battalion is tasked with training new troops. Located in Schaarsbergen where all air assault personnel originate.
After the basic air assault course personnel will receive further specialist training to perform their different roles within the brigade, the extent of this training differs with the specific functions.
Every unit within the brigade has its own emblems and symbols, however a recurring element in these is that of the peregrine falcon. The falcon was chosen for its speed and agility as a bird of prey, symbolizing the rapid deployment and force exhibited by the brigade.
Air assault
Air assault is the movement of ground-based military forces by vertical take-off and landing aircraft—such as the helicopter—to seize and hold key terrain which has not been fully secured, and to directly engage enemy forces...
unit of the Royal Netherlands Army
Royal Netherlands Army
The Royal Netherlands Army is the land forces element of the military of the Netherlands.-Short history:The Royal Netherlands Army was raised on 9 January 1814, but its origins date back to 1572, when the so-called Staatse Leger was raised...
. Its operators are trained to be deployed via helicopters (using fast-rope and rappelling) and fixed-wing aircraft (parachute
Parachute
A parachute is a device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag, or in the case of ram-air parachutes, aerodynamic lift. Parachutes are usually made out of light, strong cloth, originally silk, now most commonly nylon...
), and can be deployed anywhere in the world within 7 to maximally 20 days. Combined with the helicopters of the Royal Netherlands Air Force
Royal Netherlands Air Force
The Royal Netherlands Air Force , Dutch Koninklijke Luchtmacht , is the military aviation branch of the Netherlands Armed Forces. Its ancestor, the Luchtvaartafdeling of the Dutch Army was founded on 1 July 1913, with four pilots...
, they form the 11 Air Manoeuvre Brigade (11 AMB).
Function
The 11 LMB is a highly disciplined, light infantry, rapid reaction force. It is trained to operate in any climatological and geological condition. The unit can be deployed in 7 days to 20 days (depending on deployment size), anywhere in the world.Signalling the capabilities of its soldiers, the brigade is airborne
Airborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
qualified, the men of 11 LMB operators wear the maroon beret
Maroon beret
The maroon beret is a military beret and has been an international symbol of elite airborne forces since it was chosen for British airborne forces in World War II. This distinctive head dress was officially introduced in 1942, at the direction of General Frederick Browning, commander of the British...
. 11 LMB soldiers can be deployed by helicopter (fast-rope and rappelling) and fixed-wing aircraft (parachute). The emphasis is on air assault operations (by helicopters and Air Landing Operations), but each battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
has a dedicated parachute trained company. The brigade recce unit and the battalions' recce platoons are all paratrooper
Paratrooper
Paratroopers are soldiers trained in parachuting and generally operate as part of an airborne force.Paratroopers are used for tactical advantage as they can be inserted into the battlefield from the air, thereby allowing them to be positioned in areas not accessible by land...
.
The primary task of 11 LMB is to ensure the defense of the Netherlands and its NATO allies. Its second primary task is to be deployed worldwide as an expeditionary, peacekeeping and peace-enforcing formation. It has seen action in Bosnia, Macedonia, Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
, Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
and is now deployed in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
.
Other than peace(-keeping) missions, the 11 LMB can also be deployed for humanitarian aid missions, evacuation, disaster relief and (combat) search and rescue (CSAR
Combat search and rescue
Combat search and rescue are search and rescue operations that are carried out during war that are within or near combat zones.A CSAR mission may be carried out by a task force of helicopters, ground-attack aircraft, tankers and an airborne command post...
).
Air Manoeuvre Brigade
A unique aspect in air assault infantry is the concept of an Air Manoeuvre Brigade. In this formation the roles of air assault troops and helicopters are interwoven. Royal Netherlands Air ForceRoyal Netherlands Air Force
The Royal Netherlands Air Force , Dutch Koninklijke Luchtmacht , is the military aviation branch of the Netherlands Armed Forces. Its ancestor, the Luchtvaartafdeling of the Dutch Army was founded on 1 July 1913, with four pilots...
CH-47D Chinook
CH-47 Chinook
The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is an American twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter. Its top speed of 170 knots is faster than contemporary utility and attack helicopters of the 1960s...
and Eurocopter Cougar
Eurocopter Cougar
-See also:-External links:* *...
MK2 transport helicopters provide Tactical airlift for Air Assault brigade, while battlefield support and armed reconnaissance is conducted by RNLAF AH-64D Apache helicopters. The Apaches are the eyes in the sky for the air assault troops on the ground, and can engage as part of direct close air support
Close air support
In military tactics, close air support is defined as air action by fixed or rotary winged aircraft against hostile targets that are close to friendly forces, and which requires detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of these forces.The determining factor for CAS is...
.
The combined formation goes by the name of 11 Air Manoeuvre Brigade. The GOC of the Air Manoeuvre Brigade (AMB) is always the GOC 11 AASLT Bde, his 2 i/c is always the GOC THG (Tactical Helicopter Group) of the RNLAF. The THG comprises the Chinook, Cougar and Apache squadrons of the RNLAF and their dedicated support and logistics units.
Formation
The primary combat units attached to the brigade are three airborne infantry battalions, each of which maintains the traditions of a Dutch infantry regiment:- 11 Infanteriebataljon Garde Grenadiers en JagersGarderegiment Grenadiers en JagersGarderegiment Grenadiers en Jagers is a regiment of the Royal Netherlands Army; it is one of two, along with the Garderegiment Fuseliers Prinses Irene that is classed as 'Guards'...
- 12 Infanteriebataljon Regiment Van HeutszRegiment Van HeutszThe Regiment Van Heutsz is a line infantry regiment of the Royal Netherlands Army. The regiment was named after J.B. van Heutsz a former Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, and was formed on July 1, 1950. It currently, in 2011, operates as 12 Air Assault Infantry Battalion as part of 11...
- 13 Infanteriebataljon Regiment Stoottroepen Prins BernhardRegiment Stoottroepen Prins BernhardThe Regiment Stoottroepen Prins Bernhard is an infantry regiment of the Royal Netherlands Army.The Regiment Stoottroepen was founded on 21 September 1944 in Eindhoven, and composed of members of the Dutch resistance from those parts of the Netherlands that had been recently liberated from German...
- 11 geniecompagnie [engineers]
- 11 herstelcompagnie [maintenance]
- 11 bevooradingscompagnie [supplies]
- 11 geneeskundigecompagnie [medical]
Personnel earmarked for 11 air manoeuvre brigade require a training that is more extensive and more demanding than regular basic training. Upon successful completion the new troops will be awarded the maroon beret which is the distinguishing mark of the brigade.
A special air assault school battalion is tasked with training new troops. Located in Schaarsbergen where all air assault personnel originate.
After the basic air assault course personnel will receive further specialist training to perform their different roles within the brigade, the extent of this training differs with the specific functions.
Every unit within the brigade has its own emblems and symbols, however a recurring element in these is that of the peregrine falcon. The falcon was chosen for its speed and agility as a bird of prey, symbolizing the rapid deployment and force exhibited by the brigade.
External links
- http://www.landmacht.nl/organisatie/Eenheden/11_Luchtmobiele_Brigade/index.aspx (official website - Royal Netherlands Army)
- http://www.regimentvanheutz.nl (unofficial website of 12 Infantry Battalion Regiment van Heutz) (Dutch)
- http://www.13.luchtmobiel.nl (unofficial website of 13 Infantry Battalion Regiment Stoottroepen Prins Bernhard) (Dutch)
- http://www.airmanoeuvrebrigade.nl/index.php?page=engels (unofficial website of 11 Air Manoeuvre Brigade)
- Military History (Dutch)