The military exercise Warhammer, in which the Royal Netherlands Air Force exercises with low-flying helicopters, started a day later than planned. Instead of yesterday, Apache attack helicopters have been flying from Gilze-Rijen Air Base to the North since today.
“That is because the airbase was closed yesterday due to a shortage of firefighters,” said a spokesman for the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The air force is practicing this week together with the army in various parts of the country, the first two training days are also flown low above Drenthe.
During training, pilots are trained to use trees and hills in the landscape to hide their Apache behind. A helicopter had to be grounded in the municipality of Meppel this morning. “Nothing serious, you can compare it to the orange light on the dashboard in your car. The crew has landed safely and the technical service is on its way for a check,” the spokesperson said.