Current missions increasingly take place in a coalition context, which makes training in an international context necessary. Because the Leeuwarden airbase is close to the large exercise area in the North Sea, the exercise is based at the Frisian location. Conducting the Exercise, Lieutenant Colonel Ronald van der Jagt is aware that Frisian Flag has an impact on the environment, yet he hopes for understanding. “One of the points of attention to minimise unnecessary inconvenience. Fixed departure and landing times are used as much as possible, so people in the neighborhood are aware quite aware of when the flight movements take place.
Frisian Flag takes place not only in Dutch airspace, but also in that of neighbouring Germany and Denmark, which requires close cooperation between the airspace control authorities of the 3 countries. Combat management is with the Dutch and German Control and Reporting Centre (CRC), and an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AWACS) reconnaissance aircraft from Geilenkirchen also contributed.
During first week of the exercise, the aircraft flew in north-south direction when simulated attacks were carried out north of the Netherlands. During the second week, the targets were in northern Germany, with the aircraft flying west to the east.
Monday April 1, 2019, first day of the Exercise, was also media day at the Leeuwarden airbase.
We interacted with various personalities and give some extracts :
● The experienced Lt Col Raphael of the French Air Force came to Leeuwarden with 85 personnel and 4 aircraft to carry out "Composite Air Operation" (CAMAO). In the role of Mission Commander, he prepared and executed the complete Frisian Flag mission during the first week.
● For the young USAF Lt Smidt, with just 100 flying hours on the F-16, this was his first exercise abroad, taking part in a virtual air war, engaged in aerial combat with as many as 50 fighters.
● The Swiss Lt Col Studer was at ‘Frisian Flag’ for the first time. Given the upcoming selection process for the new fighter aircraft of the Swiss Air Force, Frisian Flag was the lone foreign exercise they will participate this year, not going to the NATO TigerMeet at Mont-de-Marsan, the Tactical Leadership programme in the Spanish Albacete and the Artic Challenge exercise in Sweden. With 16 pilots and 4 aircraft, the Swiss only participated for a brief, time in the exercise and for operational reasons, the Swiss aircraft and pilots shortly returned to Switzerland in second week.
● Frisian Flag Exercise Director, Lieutenant Colonel Ronald van der Jagt confirmed that the number of personnel at the airbase had doubled during these 2 weeks. Planning for Frisian Flag 2020 has already started following end of this exercise. Given the arrival of first Dutch F-35s around October / November 2019 and continuing reduction of F-16s at Leeuwarden airbase, a decision will also be taken as to whether the FrisianFlag 2020 can be planned in its current manner.
All photos and text : Joris van Boven and Alex van Noye ; interview with Swiss Commander also with Kees van der Mark