Veterans' Day

Each year on the 29th of June the Netherlands honour their military people during various festivities. This day is called "Veteranendag" or Veterans Day and its purpose is to bring respect to active and retired military personnel that has been involved in military operations including peace keeping missions. The Royal Netherlands Air Force and Navy bring a salute to them by performing a flypast over the city of The Hague. We joined them in the air on the 29th of June 2006.

Part of this flypast was a formation of nine helicopters among them two AH-64 Apaches, two AS532 Cougars, three SH-14 Lynx and two CH-47 Chinooks. We met the crew of our ride (a CH-47) at Soesterberg Air Base and after the safety instructions we went up in the air. The ramp at the back of this Chinook was open as was the door of the loadmaster at the side so a welcome breeze went through the helicopter on this nice summer day.

We joined up with the other helicopters just off the coast near Katwijk. First, every helicopter had to be in position of the formation and when that was finalised we made some practise turns. We had to wait some fifteen minutes before we received our call to join up with the big formation at the rendez vous point. We were the third element in the big formation which existed of, among others, a formation of F-16s, PC-7's, transport aircraft as well as an element of World War II aircraft. In formation we flew over the Malieveld (a very big grass field in The Hague used for demonstrations, military parades, fun fairs and festivals) from North to South.

After we finished with our flypast we continued to the South and just North of Rotterdam the formation broke apart and each aircraft went to its own home base. There we landed after 1,5 hours after an experience never to forget.

We would like to thank the personnel of 298 squadron for their hospitality and a great day!

© 2006 3Greens.nl