State Secretary of Defense Derk Boswijk expects that the protocols surrounding military exercises will be adjusted during dry periods. His statement is at odds with that of Armed Forces Commander Onno Eichelsheim. The top Dutch soldier said on Thursday after wildfires on military training grounds near the Oirschotse Heide and Budel that this was no reason for him to stop the exercises.
The fire on the Oirschotse Heide started on Thursday during an exercise by Chinooks on the military site. The wildfire at Budel and Kempen Airport also started on a military training area. The air base warned Defense on Wednesday about the danger of wildfires.
Commander of the Armed Forces Onno Eichelsheim said on Thursday that despite the fires starting on military sites, exercises would continue. “It is very annoying for bystanders, campsites and nature itself,” Eichelsheim said. “But we have to keep practicing to be ready for crises and training our people.” According to him, stopping exercises is not an option, even in times of drought and increased fire risk.
Protocols up to date
State Secretary Derk Boswijk sees it differently. Investigations into the wildfires are still ongoing. Boswijk expects the conclusions of the research in the short term. “So that we have those protocols up to date before we start exercises with open fire again,” Boswijk said on Friday in the Good Morning Netherlands program.
According to Boswijk, each exercise is preceded by ‘a whole lot of paperwork’. Drought is also taken into account. The investigation must show whether the protocols have been complied with. “And I think we also have to see, because we will unfortunately have to deal with longer periods of drought in the Netherlands, whether the protocols still fit the times in which we live.”
Trade union supports Eichelsheim
The Union for Civilian and Military Defense Personnel (VBM) agrees with Eichelsheim to allow exercises to continue. Chairman Jean Debie does not think it is irresponsible to practice under the current circumstances. “Soldiers generally know very well what to do at such times.”
“Precautions are being taken and soldiers work with all kinds of protocols. The risk of fire is therefore very small. But practice must be practiced,” says Debie.
