The Royal Netherlands Air Force will be using Cumbria as a base for a three-week exercise.
The air force’s 298 Squadron has landed at Carlisle Airport and from today, Monday June 15, will be conducting Exercise TAC BLAZE.
Based at the airport, they will be flying over the range at Royal Air Force Spadeadam and into the Cumbrian and Northumberland countryside.
The aim of TAC BLAZE is to deliver critical operational training for air force.
Flying consists of up to 10 rotary wing aircraft conducting intensive training, for the duration of the exercise.
They are working with Dutch ground troops who will be providing support.
For three weeks, the Defence Helicopter Command will be flying missions both day and night, over hilly terrain and against real threat systems.
Chinook and Apache will also be involved over the course of the exercise.
Scenarios will be used with the helicopters carrying out simulated missions against potential adversary threats.
The crews use evasive manoeuvres and other tactics to defeat the enemy.
Major Pelle Castenmiller, from the Royal Netherlands Air & Space Force said: “TAC BLAZE is an essential annual exercise designed to provide our helicopter aircrews with the necessary training in complex scenarios.
“The available airspace, terrain, and red team forces at Spadeadam provide us with unique opportunities to make the scenarios as realistic as possible.
“By building a close relationship with the Spadeadam operators, we learn from each other and raise the level of training every year.
“We look forward to three weeks of intensive helicopter warfare training.”
Wing Commander Matt Lawrence, station commander of RAF Spadeadam, and officer commanding aggressor squadron, said: “We have had the pleasure of hosting our close allies, the Royal Netherland Air Force for Exercise TAC BLAZE for over a decade, delivering contested operational training in a high threat air defence environment over realistic terrain and in challenging weather conditions.
“Never has this type of training been so important to NATO, to demonstrate to potential foes that NATO is capable at high-end warfighting and to act as a deterrence and it is an honour to be able to enable this training here, the only location in Europe that they can do it.
“Thanks to our neighbours across Cumbria and Northumberland for their forbearance at the potential disturbance but this training is essential and will save lives in the event that these units deploy on live operations.”
Crews from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service have met the Royal Dutch Air Force.
Carlisle East Fire Station said: “We met with military firefighters who refreshed our crew on rescue techniques for military aircraft.”
The air force also flew to Armathwaite Hall Hotel, near Keswick to say hello.
Cumbria police said it was anticipated that people will want to see the aircraft flying out of Carlisle Airport.
It said: “As a reminder these are military drills and while viewing from a safe distance can be a fantastic spectacle, compounds, airfields and ranges are strictly off limits to the general public.”
It added people should always stay on the outside of the airports apron at all times and consider flight paths and the potential of debris when aircraft come in to land.
It has reminded people that no drone flights were permitted in the vicinity of the airport with no exception and anyone found to be doing so will be prosecuted and have equipment seized and destroyed.
