11th Airmobile Brigade (Netherlands)

The world's security situation changed drastically after the fall of the Berlin wall in '89. In the Netherlands the need arose for a rapid reaction force for global operations covering the entire warfare spectrum. In 1992 the 11 Air Manoeuvre Brigade was created. It became unfavorable for the Dutch government to send drafted personnel on missions so this brigade was put together with volunteers from other units. After 10 years of pioneering, the brigade got its operational readiness state in October 2003.

The emblem of 11 Air Assault Brigade is a diving Falcon on a maroon shield with two crossed swords underneath. The color is related to the color of the beret. Air assault infantry distinguish themselves by the beret and soldiers are allowed to wear it after completing the Air Assault infantry training. The maroon beret is the international standard for air landing troops. The EM stands for Expeditionare Macht, or Expeditionary Force, which is a tradition derived from the emblem of the First Division 7 December.

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  First emblem in 1992
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  Emblem of the Multi National Division
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  Emblem after fusion with German Dutch Corps
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  Emblem for newly introduced service dress
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  Emblem after acceptance tradition 1st division "7 december"
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  Sleeve emblems battledress

11 Air Assault Brigade is part of the Dutch forces and therefore shares its aims;

• protection of its own and allied territory, including the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba;
• protection and improvement of the international rule of law and stability;
• support of civil authorities with law enforcement, disaster relief and humanitarian aid, both national and international

11 Air Assault Brigade is known for its ability to be rapidly deployed and its mobility. Operations can be performed either by foot, using light vehicles or using airlift capabilities (helicopters or airplanes) from the Airforce. A share of the brigade (three paracompanies, three reconnaissance platoons, the pathfinderplatoon and some of the combatsupport and supportunits) can be deployed as paratroopers.

These forms of airlanding make the brigade effective in operating behind the enemy frontline to occupy strategic locations like bridges till being relieved by mechanized infantry and cavalry. Another task is the destruction of strategic targets, evacuation of personnel, collection of intelligence during raids with infiltration and exfiltration either by ground or by air.

Organogram of the 11th Airmobile Brigade

The 11 Air Assault Brigade is made up by the following units:

• 11 Airmobile Brigade, in Schaarsbergen[2]
  • 11 Staff Company (11 Stafcompagnie), in Schaarsbergen
    • Pathfinder Platoon (Pathfinderpeloton), in Schaarsbergen
  • 11 Infantry Battalion "Garde Grenadiers en Jagers" (11 Infanteriebataljon Garde Grenadiers en Jagers), in Schaarsbergen
    • A; B; C and D Company
  • 12 Infantry Battalion "Regiment van Heutsz" (12 Infanteriebataljon Regiment Van Heutsz), in Schaarsbergen
    • A; B; C and D Company
  • 13 Infantry Battalion "Stoottroepen Prins Bernhard" (13 Infanteriebataljon Stoottroepen Prins Bernhard), in Assen
    • A; B; C and D Company
  • 20 National Reserve Corps (NATRES) Battalion (20 Natresbataljon), in The Hague
    • Alpha Company (Alfacompagnie), in The Hague
    • Bravo Company (Bravocompagnie), in Bergen
    • Charlie Company (Charliecompagnie), in Amsterdam
    • Delta Company (Deltacompagnie), in The Hague
    • Echo Company (Echocompagnie), in Stroe
    • Foxtrot Company (Foxtrotcompagnie), in Schaarsbergen
  • 11 Brigade Reconnaissance Squadron "Huzaren van Boreel" (11 Brigade Verkennings Eskadron Huzaren van Boreel), in Schaarsbergen
  • 11 Engineer Company (11 Geniecompagnie), in Schaarsbergen
  • 11 Supply Company (11 Bevoorradingscompagnie), in Schaarsbergen
  • 11 Medical Company (11 Geneeskundige compagnie), in Assen
  • 11 Maintenance Company (11 Herstelcompagnie), in Schaarsbergen

All of the units of the Air Assault Brigade except for the national reserve battalion have demonstrated the operational readiness to perform air assaults, therefore the abbreviation AASLT is often added to the name of the company or the battalion.

Previously, the brigade also included 11 Mortar company and 11 Air Defense company, but these were disbanded after the budget cuts in April 2011. Their tasks have been taken over by the artillery and anti-aircraft artillery.

20 National Reserves Battalion come under the command of the 11 Air Assault Brigade in 2012. A colonel from the western regional military command is part of the brigade staff and commands national operations in the provinces of North Holland, South Holland en Utrecht, which are all part of the area of responsibility of the 11 Air Assault Brigade.

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  Insignia of the Grenadiers' regiment
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  Insignia of the Rifle Guard regiment
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  Insignia of the 'van Heutsz' regiment
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  Insignia of the 'Stoottroepen Prins Bernhard' regiment
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  Insignia of the support units
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  Insignia of the National Reserves

Organization of a battalion

Dutch Para Wing A

An infantry battalion is made up of a staff, three infantry companies and a patrol company. The battalions are the actual 'boots on the ground'. The infantry has a wide variety of means to execute its tasks and carries enough equipment in its backpacks to stay in the field for 72 hours. Every infantry battalion has a para company (A-coy with 11 Infantry battalion, C-coy with 12 Infantry battalion and C-coy with 13 Infantry battalion). Since 2019, all company’s of 11 Infantry Battalion will be airborne capable.

Organization of an infantry company

Organogram infantry company

An infantry company consist of a staff, three infantry platoons, a mortar squad, a long range marksmen squad, JTAC / FAC, maintenance personnel, medical personnel, supply personnel and administrative personnel. Its size averages 130 personnel and is led by a company commander, a captain, who is assisted by his 2IC, an experienced lieutenant, a company sergeant-major and training sergeant-major.

Organization of a patrol company

Organogram patrol company

11 Air Assault Brigade has patrol companies since 2011. A patrol company consists of a staff, two patrol platoons, a reconnaissance platoon and a battalion's role 1 medical unit.

During missions in Afghanistan the need for independently operating units with high mobility and great firepower arose. The light 'Luchtmobiel Speciaal Voertuigen' from 11 Staff/Anti-tank company were replaced by Mercedes Benz 4x4 vehicles which are rebuilt ambulances. The new vehicles are manned by three instead of two infantrymen and equip a Browning M2 .50 machinegun, two light Minimi 5.56 machineguns and an OGill (Spike) medium range anti-tank missile and advanced optics. This setup makes independent and offensive operating possible. An area can rapidly be dominated and stabilized. The pilot with new equipment, setup in personnel and new tactics took 1.5 years before becoming the official organization.

The reconnaissance platoons are the eyes and ears of the battalion commander. As a platoon or in squads they try to figure out the strength, size and intentions of enemy forces.

Pathfinder platoon 'Madju'

Embleem Pathfinders

The Pathfinder platoon is part of 11 Brigade Recce Company The pathfinders are brigade recce's and specialists in reconnaissance and marking of dropzones and landingzones for helicopters and paratroopers. They are also able to operate for Tactical Air Landing Operations and operate in small squads of 6 men. Their deployment can be by foot, parachute, helicopter (spie-rig and fastrope) or vehicle.

11 Supply company

11 Bevoorradingscompagnie

The supply company organizes the supply of ammunition, food, water and spare parts wherever the brigade operates. There is a wide variety of vehicles available, from large trucks and forklifts to small airmobile vehicles (LSV). The company also has an important role in transporting personnel and materials to the area of operations by helicopter and manages all needed equipment to do so.

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  Helicopter Instructor
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  Helicopter Handling Instructor
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  Landing Point Commander
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  Rigger Marshaller

• 11 Air Mobile Brigade (official website - Royal Netherlands Army)
• Military History (Dutch)
• Facebook (Dutch)