The highly manoeuvrable AH-64 Apache attack helicopter can be deployed for a wide range of missions. It has advanced observation and navigation systems, making it extremely well suited for reconnaissance missions.

The various on-board weapon systems provide protection to ground troops or transport helicopters. This helicopter can also be deployed offensively against armoured vehicles, tanks or targets such as command positions and radar installations, artillery positions and guided-weapons launch sites. The Apache can carry out those missions during the day and night and in poor weather
 

Helicopter Force

Delivery to the Royal Netherlands Air Force

In 1993 a selection process stated for an attack helicopter. During this selection process the obvious contenders where selected being: the AH-1W Super Cobra, AH-64D Apache, A-129 Mangusta and the Tigre. In the beginning of 1995 it was announced that the AH-64D Apache was the winner

And on 24 May 1995, the Netherlands signed a contract thirty AH-64D Longbow Apache attack helicopters for the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The Dutch AH-64Ds do not have the distinctive Longbow radar dome atop the main rotors so are not given the name 'Apache Longbow'. The helicopters are completely prepared for this option, so the Longbow radar could be attached as the option would be required.

The Dutch Apache fleet is equipped with a Dutch-unique Aircraft Self-protection System. These are two AMASE pods (by the Danish company Therma) which are mounted at each wing tip.

To fill the gap until the AH-64D Apache helicopters would be delivered, an agreement was signed with the U.S. government for the lease of twelve AH-64A Apache helicopters from the U.S. Army.

 

In service

Operational history

When the Royal Netherlands Air Force decided that they were going to buy the Apache Longbow, they needed a training program to teach the Dutch as fast and as efficient as possible in Attack Helicopter Operations. To expedite the training and experience build-up of Attack Helicopter Ops, the Dutch leased the "old" AH-64A model Apache. Pilots and maintainers qualified on the aircraft and went to Fort Hood to expand their tactical skills in 1996. At Fort Hood they were trained by CATB (Combat Aviation Training Brigade) the 21 Cavalry Brigade. The first Dutch Apache Unit, the 301 Squadron trained for six months from the individual crew-level up to squadron-level operations in all sorts of missions including gunnery.

At the end of 1996, the twelve leased AH-64A helicopters were flown to the Netherlands from Germany. They went into service with the 301 squadron that finished training in 1996 and started operations in the Netherlands; it was a busy year with many exercises and additional training for the squadron. In 1998 the Squadron deployed helicopters to Bosnia attached to a US-unit. This was the first actual mission for the Royal Netherlands Air Force Apaches.

In Jan 1999 the build-up of 302 Squadron started, the Staff-pilots, together with the Instructor Pilots and Maintenance Test Pilot for the AH-64D Apache went to Mesa for their Longbow-transition.

The delivery of the AH-64D helicopters to the Royal Netherlands Air Force began in May 1998. With the delivery of the first AH-64D helicopters, six of the twelve leased AH-64A were returned to the U.S. Army in September 2000.

The last six of the leased helicopters were returned to the U.S. Army in February 2001. The thirtieth - and last - of the AH-64D Apache was delivered to the Netherlands in May 2002.

At the end of 2003 booth unit where fully operational with the AH-64D Apache and for training requirements a special detachment the Joint Netherlands Training Detachment was formed at Fort Hood. Dividing the thirty strong AH-64 D apache forces in eleven for each squadron and eight in fort Hood for training.
 

Deployments of the AH-64.

From the start of operating with the AH-64 Apache the units took part in different deployments. In 1998 and 1999, Dutch AH-64A Apaches took part in SFOR attached to a US-unit, this was the first actual mission. In 2001 Apaches were stationed in Djibouti, to provide air support if necessary to Dutch military personnel of the UNMEE peacekeeping force in Ethiopia/Eritrea.

From April 2004, AH-64D Apache have been deployed in Afghanistan almost continuously. At first, six Apaches were stationed at Kabul airport. Five of those moved via Kandahar Airfield, from where they operated for several months, to Kamp Holland in Tarin Kowt in October of that same year. On 11 November 2010, the Apaches ended their operational deployment in Afghanistan after six years. Since 2006, they had carried out more than 1,200 flights in support of the ground troops in Afghanistan, clocking up more than 7,000 flying hours. During this mission on August 29, 2004 an AH-64D Apache, designation Q-20, crashes near Kabul, slightly injuring one crew member.

In 2014 a deployment is planned for support of the Dutch troops participating in the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). The Dutch force deployed will include 4 AH-64D Apache helicopters from 301 squadron as support for the ground units.
 

301 display team

The Royal Netherlands Air Force AH-64D Apache Solo Display Team .

The Royal Netherlands Air Force is one of the few Air Forces worldwide that performs demonstrations with the AH-64D Apache. The Apache Solo Display Team is based at Gilze-Rijen Air Base as part of the 301 'Redskins' Apache Squadron. The team was formed in 2002 for a one-off occasion to take part in the air show that was held that year at 301 squadron home base Gilze Rijen. Started by two experimental test pilots from the Netherlands Air Force who were taught the manoeuvres by pilots from Boeing’s own test team, and, from 2002 to 2004, it was they who flew the routine and later transferred this to 301 Squadron. However, the team kept performing at air shows in the following years and, in July 2005, won the "Sir Douglas Bader Trophy" at the Royal International Air Tattoo which took place at RAF Fairford.

The Apache Solo Display Team was inactive between 2005 and 2009 due to operational deployments but began to carry out demo flights again in 2010. In the beginning the performance was done in its original camouflage colours and later with equipped with special printing.

As the Apache Solo Display Team is not a dedicated full time display team, performances are depending on the operational requirement of the squadron. But when performing at national and international air displays its demonstrate what the Royal Netherlands Air Force stands for: Airpower.
 

301 Squadron

301 Squadron

Formed as one of three reserve squadrons 300, 301 and 302 of the Royal Netherlands Air Force at Ypenburg air base in 1962. From the three squadrons only 300 was axially formed and it started operating in the Training role at first on the H-23 Raven but by august 1965 the transition has been made to the Alouette III. During the following years helicopters were on paper allocated to the squadron but the squadron would only be formed in times of crisis.

In this capacity 301 squadron never took part in a mission. The squadron was finely formed in 1993 as the first squadron which would be equipped with the AH-64 Apache helicopters. At this point the squadron inherited the traditions of 314 squadron. A former fighter unit that used to be based at Gilze Rijen at one point in its history, the name ‘Redskin’ is a reference to the old mascot of 314squdron Humphrey the Indian.

The official handover of the leased AH-64A took place at 27 January 1997. Four days later at 31 January 1997 the 301 squadron was officially founded and on 4 February the Royal Netherlands Air Force started with the helicopter operations. However, only on the 6 June the AH-64A was officially introduced at the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

In the fall of 2000 the Royal Netherlands Air Force started to push off the AH-64A Apaches pending the arrival of the new D models. On 29 August the Q-29 arrived as the last helicopter for the 301 squadron. At that moment the squadron has eleven AH-64D Apaches available. In January 2004 the Royal Netherlands Air Force decided to dispose of six Apaches as part of budget cuts. With this decision they also decided to combine the 301 and 302 squadron to one squadron leaving 301 squadron as the only AH-64D squadron in the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

In the following years 301 would deploy to several places around the world. At the moment it is still active at Gilze-Rijen Air base.
 

302 Squadron

302 Squadron

Also formed as one of three reserve squadrons 300, 301 and 302 of Royal Netherlands Air Force formed at Ypenburg air base in 1962. From the three only 300 was axially formed and it started operating in the Training role at first on the H-23 Raven but by august 1965 the transition has been made to the Alouette III. During the following years helicopters were on paper allocated to the squadron but the squadron would only be formed in times of crisis.

302 squadron was eventually formed as one of the two AH-64 squadrons when to Royal Netherlands Air Force ordered the AH-64D Apache in 1995. At this point the squadron inherited the traditions of 316 squadron, a former fighter unit. That also used to be based at Gilze Rijen at one point.in its history, the name ‘Hawkeye’ is a reference to the bird in the emblem of the squadron.

They operated the AH-64 Apache from 1998 when to squadron became operation until 2005. When in a round of budget cuts it was decided that a part of the AH-64D Apache force would be sold and the remainder of the force would be used by 301 Squadron.

In November 2013 302 Squadron reactivated at Fort Hood replacing the Joint Netherlands Training Detachment which has a permanent strength of eight AH-64D Apaches and three CH-47F Chinooks to train the Royal Netherlands Air Force Pilots.

 

Future

The Royal Netherlands Air Force started a programme to upgrade AH-64D Apache attack helicopters into 'Block II' level. The Apaches of the Royal Netherlands Air Force currently conform to 'Block I' configuration, and as the US Army has almost updated all of his fleet to the Block II version. It is a logical decision from an operational and logistic standpoint to update the fleet to the block II configuration.

The upgrade will comprise a digital map display, supporting blue-Force Tracking (BFT) capability, minimizing the risk of fratricide and enhancing the helicopter's role in ground support operations. The first AH-64D Block II Apache was delivered to the Royal Netherlands Air Force at the Boeing plant in Mesa, Arizona in November 2013. It is expected that within 3 years the entire Dutch Apache fleet will be upgraded to 'Blok II' standard.