11 Air Manoeuvre Brigade
Neither Reckless nor Fearless

By Leo M. van Westerhoven and Gerard van Oosbree /Dutch Defence Press

The relative calm in the small village is deceptive. Lightly armed rebels have taken over control. They think they can get away with it as NATO-led forces are far away, outside the countries borders. What they don’t know is that things are about to change. It all becomes apparent when attack-helicopters arrive over the tree-line a few hundred yards away. Just when the rebels realise what is about to happen, large transport-helicopters appear and land in quick succession in the open fields that surround the village. Men and machines are offloaded in minutes and the large choppers disappear again. The rebels are overwhelmed and offer little resistance. The soldiers are quick to establish a defensive perimeter around the village against possible counter-attacks. That comes during the night when the enemy sees a chance to enter the village and get close to the command-post. But that is as far as they get and peace and quiet again return. When a mechanised force takes over, the airmobile soldiers return to their staging area, readying themselves for a possible next action.

A classic raid performed by a mix of ground and air units. The example above shows a recent exercise of the Dutch armed forces 11 Airmanoeuvre Brigade. An operational partnership consisting of the 11 Luchtmobiele brigade (Airmobile Brigade, army) as the ground component together with the Tactische Helikopter Groep KLu (THGKLu, Tactical Helicopter Group, airforce). Its main task is to secure and open points of entry for other land or air elements. Combining strategic mobility with extremely high tactical mobility within its Area of Operations (AO), it’s capable to project combat power throughout the entire dimensions and framework of the battlefield. The brigade, or elements of it, can be tasked to conduct within 21 days in an airmobile task-force setting, to a broad variety of crises and conflicts across the full range of military operations anywhere - except for the arctic - in the world.


The ground component
Based in the Oranje Barracks in Schaarsbergen are; the Battle Staff Coy, four staff guard troops, 11 Infantry Battalion Airmobile “Garde Grenadiers en Jagers”, 12 Infantry Battalion Airmobile “Van Heutsz”, 11 Engineer Coy Airmobile, 11 Supply & Transport Coy Airmobile, 11 Maintenance Coy Airmobile and 11 Air Defence Coy Airmobile. Although the School & Training Battalion Airmobile is solely responsible for the training of airmobile personnel is also based here, it does not administer directly under the command of the brigade. Instead it administers under the Training Command of the RNLA. Based in the Johan Willem Friso Barracks in Assen are; 11 Mortar Coy “Margriet” Airmobile, 11 Medical Coy Airmobile, and 13 Infantry Battalion Airmobile “Stoottroepen Prins Bernhard”. The Infantry Battalions Airmobile, which is identical in strength and equipment, added with the independent Combat support and logistical Combat Service Support Coy’s primarily forms the 11 Luchtmobiele brigade with approx. 2400 soldiers.

Earning the red beret
One of the most distinctive features of these airmobile soldiers is the maroon beret. Each and every member, regardless of their rank or gender has to undergo rigorous training to earn the honour of wearing this beret. All in all, the airmobile training lasts approx. 24 weeks for each and every candidate (soldiers without any military training; officers and NCO’s only 8 weeks). The main objective of this is focused on developing physical and mental endurance and to acquire individual basic skills. In addition they learn to put these skills into practice as a team. The diverse teaching package ranges from weapon training and live firing exercises, helicopter drills and training, battlefield survival techniques, landing point training, working at high altitudes, military first aid and obstacle courses. During the final stage, all aspects of this training is tested, on an individual base and as a team during graduation exercise ‘Fearless Falcon’. At the end of the successful completion of the training course then the soldier is finally awarded with his well earned maroon beret, in the proud presence of his close relatives and friends. During his active duty, he will continue to follow internal and external (national and international) training courses. Fighting in urbanised areas and close quarter battle (CQB) is one of these courses. .While asymmetric threats, such as chemical or biological weapons are likely, for future scenarios there’s a good chance they will find themselves committed to fight in an urban environment Whether it’s skyscrapers, a slum or urban sprawl. That means they will fight in the air, in buildings, on the streets, and in subways or sewers, simultaneously. While conducting military operations in urban terrain is complex, these are essential ingredients of an airmobile soldier's training.

Infantry battalion
Each infantry battalion consists of the following elements: Three Infantry Coy’s, which operates mainly on foot from the moment they are deployed on the ground. A Staff/Anti-Tank Coy consists of the Battalion Battle Staff, coy staff, three Anti-Tank platoons, a reconnaissance platoon and a battalion medical aid station. The AT platoons are equipped with Light Special Vehicles (LSV) with a mounted TOW-2A guided missile weapon system on it, providing the long range AT capability. Additional AT weapon systems are used as immediate AT coverage, knowing the 84mm AT-4 light anti armour weapon for at close range (which will be phased out shortly and replaced by the Panzerfaust 3-T 600) and the Dragon, a wire guided ATGW covering the medium range. Also the TOW and the Dragon will be replaced by the recently procured Israeli Gill AT system.

Each Infantry Coy has a Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) to its disposal. A TACP comprises a Forward Air Controller (FAC), and a Laser Target Marker Operator (LTMO). They are the so called “Eyes on Target” in case of Offensive Air Support (OAS), which can be requested in form of Close Air Support (CAS). For these kinds of missions the TACP is equipped with a Laser Target Designator (LTD) with a built-in thermal-image view and Laser Range Finder (to designate or illuminate a target, so it can be engaged and destroyed by laser precision-guided munitions).
While eyes on target are essential, intelligence is still number one.
The reconnaissance platoons within each battalion are manned by specially trained soldiers who conduct special reconnaissance missions and prepare the right settings in the committal area. All members are qualified combat parachutists who have received additional training by the Dutch army Commando Regiment. They are trained for insertion on foot, by team vehicles, by helicopter or parachute. They usually infiltrate behind enemy lines to provide the battalion and/or brigade commander with detailed and precise information concerning terrain, local populace, enemy capabilities, and intentions, reconnoitring of possible targets and assessment of vulnerable and vital parts through observation and other collection methods. To provide the teams with secure means of communications they are equipped with high-tech radios. These radios are capable to convert speech into data (digitize) and transmit it in crypto (communication security), and frequency hopping (also known as Have Quick II, transmission security). Prior to a mission they are up-loaded with software that incorporates all necessary data like number of nettings, netting-structure, call-signs, frequencies and codes.

Each infantry-squad has a Marksman Long Range (SLA). He has special abilities, training and equipment. He uses the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare Magnum .308, fitted with a Schmidt and Bender 10x42 telescopic sight. It’s accurate enough to achieve a first round hit at 900m and achieve harassing fire out to 1100m. His primary mission is to deliver discriminatory highly accurate rifle fire against enemy targets, which cannot be engaged successfully by the rifleman because of range, size, location, fleeting nature, or visibility. His secondary mission is collecting and reporting battlefield information.
Two riflemen in each squad are equipped with the Infantry support weapon, the 5.56mm ‘MINIMI-Para’, replacing one heavier 7.62mm MAG served by two soldiers. Others in the squad carry the Diemaco C7A1 5.56mm assault rifle with a variety of sights like the Elcan 4.3x optical sight or the Aimpoint CompM2 red-dot sightand/or a 9mm GLOCK 17 pistol. Scouts carry the Diemaco C8A1 models, featuring a telescopic butt-stock and a shortened barrel. There’s a continuing need for smaller and lighter systems and technologies for the individual operator. Greater load bearing capabilities (new combat vests and back-packs) will increase lethality and survivability by enabling airmobile soldiers to carry a greater variety and quantity of weapons and munitions. In the very near future two riflemen in each rifle-team will have the Heckler & Koch 40mm grenade launcher mounted under their Diemaco.

Supply and transport
The supply and transport capabilities are provided by 11 Supply & Transport Coy Airmobile. Its primary mission is to build and maintain the assembly area of its transport platoons and to guarantee the transport of general cargo, fuel, ammunition, spare parts and heavy equipment. It also supports the relocation of units. The reach of the brigade, the so-called ‘footprint’ is approx. 150 kilometres. To obtain and establish this reach, in almost every case it is necessary to establish a primary and secondary forward arming and refuelling point (FARP).. This to accompany the assault elements of the brigade into its initial landing zones in the committal area (CA). On these FARP’s are combat-supplies for three days standard available. With the aid of follow-on aviation lifts or road transport, these austere FARP’s can be built into a full-blown Forward Operation Base (FOB). Capable of servicing and sending forth additional air manoeuvre elements and attack elements of the brigade. Standard the units have supplies to sustain one day, the brigade holds supply assets for two days in storage and the National Support Element has a five day supply of all common items the Brigade will use during operations. Combat engineer capability is provided by 11 Engineer Coy Airmobile, which is tailored to fight as part of the combined arms team. Their primary focus is mobility support to committed forces, in clearing of mines or equipment, constructing helicopter pick-up points, landing zones (LZs) and FARP’s. It focuses on mobility but also provides limited counter-mobility and survivability engineer support. They also provide physical protection to the force by preparing fighting positions and protective positions for logistics assets. Because of their austere, organic mobility assets, they have limited tactical mobility once they are deployed. To compensate for this, they are trained to operate in a decentralized manner.

The Brigade Air-Defence is delivered by 11 Air Defence Coy Airmobile, which is equipped with Stinger, man-portable shoulder-fired guided missile systems. These can be connected to a Warning-radar Airmobile Stinger (WALS) subsystem. WALS provides the teams with a warning radar system that’s able to track determine and calculate the exact position of any approaching aircraft within a reach of 20 km. Its built-in identification, friend or foe interrogator aids the gunner in identifying friendly aircraft. Stinger teams are attached to companies or, if necessary, platoons, and generally two teams will go in the first helicopter lift, to help secure the LZ, while the others follow later as subsequent lifts of troops and equipment are brought in.

Medical care is provided by 11 Medical Coy Airmobile. It provides medical support in care and evacuation for all categories of patients and casualties within the Brigade. The ground ambulance squad is the basic module for evacuation at all levels. For this they use with “Lohr” Light Special Vehicle (LSV) and/or Mercedes-Benz MEDEVAC vehicles. They provides patient and casualty evacuation, and ensures the continuity of care en route. During operations, sufficient medical elements will be in the first wave of assaulting forces. These includes an combat lifesaver (CLS) in each section, a combat medic, and a battalion aid station (BAS), while the first medical care a soldier receives is provided at this level. The evacuation of casualties in non-medical ground and air assets (CASEVAC) will be considered in the first phase of the assault and during mass casualty situations.

Communications
The airmobile character has far reaching consequences for radio and communication equipment. Lines of communication are a key issue during operations, while it’s characterized by the vast communication density. Besides brigade and division HQ communications, information needs to be exchanged with pre-deployed mobile air operation teams (MAOT), fixed wing aircraft, helicopters and committed units, both during aerial transport, landing and follow-up operations. With the joint and multinational With the increase of joint and munltinational cooperation there is an increasing need to acquire and transfer large amounts of information reliably, securely, and in real-time. That’s why under operational conditions a detachment of 11 Signal Battalion is added to provide the brigade with modern satellite communication facilities. In each mission, means of communication, plays a vital role in its success, without it it’s impossible.

Fire support
As by their very nature, deep operations offer an enticing set of lucrative air interdiction and battlefield air interdiction targets. Fire support kills and suppresses what intelligence finds. This fire support effort concentrates on chargers of AH-64D Apache (Longbow) to sow mayhem in the opposition's rear areas, racing through gaps, whether found by stealth or made by fire, night-riding Apache attack helicopters excel in identifying and destroying enemy air defence positions, artillery units, headquarters and vehicle parks.
For indirect fire support the Brigade has two types of mortars at their disposal, the primary weapon system of 11 Mortar Coy Airmobile “Margriet” is the 120mm heavy mortar, divided in three sections, each equipped with four 120mm mortars. The mortar-crews are capable of firing the first rounds on target, while coming into action from the move within just four minutes. And can obtain a rate of fire in the first minute of 16 rds/min., and 4 rds/min. sustained. The second type of mortar in use is the 81mm mortar. Each Infantry Coy Airmobile has a mortar group to its disposal for the immediate fire-support. 81mm mortar equipment dismantles into reasonable loads for man portable and air lifting, and is thus particularly suitable for use in helicopter borne operations. Its individual item weights are: Base Plate; 11.5 kg, Barrel; 13 kg, Bipod; 13 kg, Sight Unit in case; 4 kg and a case with two rounds 12 kg. The 120mm heavy mortar is usually airlifted by helicopter with the use of ‘underslung’ techniques. A Mortar Fire Data Computer (MFDC) is used for producing fire data, and its programming is such that corrections down to the nearest ten meters can be made. When done right, fire support weakens the enemy's will and paralyzes his response. It is the hard left hook that sets up the finishing right jab of the brigade air assault.

Tactical vehicles
The brigades tactical vehicle inventory includes Mercedes-Benz G-series 5 KN & 7.5 KN soft-top 4x4 wheeled vehicles, and the “Lohr” LSV in various configurations. Supplemented with a combination of 4 and 10 tons DAF Trucks, most of them equipped with cranes and flat-tracks for logistic support. For use in PSO missions 11 Airmobile Brigade have 70 Patria XA 188 6x6 wheeled armoured combat vehicles, with a primary armament of a 7.62mm FN MAG or a 12.7mm M2 machine gun. If required, un-armoured vehicles will be given extra ballistic protection by applying Kevlar panels and blankets.

The air component
The prime mission of the THG is to support 11 Airmobile Brigade. That is why during operational circumstances it is always directly under the command of 11 Luchtmobiele brigade. The whole group consists of approx. 2000 airmen. Primarily the THG operates together with this Brigade to support it with transport of troops and material, casualty transport, tactical (air assault) operations, combat support, and combat search and rescue missions. But can also provide her ‘Air Power’ independent or cooperate with other units of the armed forces or within international context.

Attack helicopters
Two attack helicopter squadrons which are based on Gilze-Rijen Air Base deliver the AMB primary firepower. 301 “Redskins” and 302 “Hawkeyes” Squadron, each equipped with 15 AH-64D Apache’s. The Dutch version of the AH-64D is provisioned for and able to be equipped with the Longbow fire control radar (FCR). No FCR’s have been bought yet. In addition, the AH-64D contains the radio frequency interferometer (RFI) for precise threat system acquisition. This exciting new capability will have a significant impact on the way the brigade conducts operations across the whole spectrum of potential commitments. The Apache has a multi-mission flexibility to carry out multi-role, close-support or ground suppression type of missions. For this purpose it’s able to carry a mix of an lethal array of AGM 114-K Hellfire missiles, unguided Mk 66 2.75 Inch Hydra 70 rockets, and 1,200 rounds of ammunition for its 30mm M230 E1 automatic cannon. Its ability to communicate digitally with other aircraft and ground forces, and to share that information almost instantly, gives it a significant advantage. In fact the AH-64D Apache Longbow is a single combat system that can find, fix, and observe or destroy enemy assets across the depth of the battlefield.

Utility cargo and heavy transport helicopters
The heavy transport capacity is delivered by 298 Squadron, equipped with 13 CH-47D ‘Chinooks’, based on Soesterberg Air Base. In a troop-carrying mode it can transport up to 34 combat equipped troops, or 13 tons of freight, or a combination of the two. An external load can be slung beneath the Chinook by use of strops, which are attached by the ‘rigger-marshaller’ teams, enabling a wide range of loads to be transported including tactical vehicles, mortars and palletized or netted loads in three (3) cargo-hooks under the helicopter.
General transport and support capacity is delivered by 17 Eurocopter AS-532 U2 Mk II ‘Cougar’ utility helicopters of 300 Squadron “Cougars”, also based on Soesterberg Air Base. This multi-purpose helicopter has the biggest cabin volume in its category; with the crash-worthy troop seats installed, the allowable cargo load (ACL) for the AS-532 U2 is 16 combat-loaded soldiers, or 12 stretchers with medical equipment in a CASEVAC role, and is capable of carrying 4.5 tons on the sling.
It must be taken in consideration that the Brigade, when using its current organic assault and transport helicopter capacity, it’s capable of transporting the core assault elements of only one entire airmobile infantry battalion with combat support in one wave. Deployment of multiple infantry battalions means multiple waves, or the use of additional transport capacity from other sources.

Final thoughts
Shaping the 11 Air Manoeuvre Brigade for future operations is more than merely delivering lethal fires, more than killing enemy tanks and artillery, instead its creating a new synergy (1+1=3), a total integration into what is termed a pattern of operations. No other force can match its ability to rapidly project the force and build combat power in an immature theatre. This versatility is the very essence of the 11 Air Manoeuvre Brigade. The brigade provides a military capability that is politically very useful. Throughout its recent nine years (sinds1992) of history, it has been both a PSO and an expeditionary force. Currently both the 11 Luchtmobiele brigade and the THGKLu are committed in multiple deployments in Bosnia (SFOR) and Afghanistan (ISAF). Although both emphasize and have soundly demonstrated the versatility and proficiency in PSO, their primary focus remains with combat operations to fight the land battle and to support ground operations. Its battlefield leverage is achieved through a combination of reconnaissance, mobility, and firepower that is unprecedented in land warfare. Its forces will greatly enhance the ability to apply four fundamental principles of war; manoeuvre, mass, surprise, and economy of force. Forces in this manner organised and equipped will have a predominant influence and their readiness at the very outset of combat is essential. 11 Air Manoeuvre Brigade can be employed as the initial assault force for contingency operations, and secures the necessary lodgement for force build-up. The result is that the brigade provides a force commander with a decisive combat capability, enabling him to mass a unit's combat power at the decisive time and place on the battlefield, causing a devastating effect on the opponent forces when executed and is a unique formation within the Dutch armed forces order of battle.

Om blågul anser att jag lagt det här ämnet på fel plats är de mer än välkomna att flytta på det. Dock var min tanke att eftersom artikeln beskriver ett förband som i nuläget är insatt i pågående konflikter/operationer så borde den passa i "Krig och Konflikter Idag".

Artikeln hämtad från Dutch Defence Press men ursprungligen publicerad i tidningen RAID.

Vad står LLB för?
Lastbilsburen brigad ;)

LBB!! Men fortfarande LastBilsburen brigad

Ehmm....

LBB