Soldiers of Netherlands Deployed for NATO Mission in Iraq with Chinook Helicopters.

As part of its commitment to the NATO Mission in Iraq (NMI), the Netherlands has today initiated the first deployment of a Chinook transport helicopter from Gilze-Rijen Air Base to Iraq. An Antonov AN-124, one of the world's largest transport aircraft, is tasked with transporting the disassembled helicopter. Two additional Chinooks are set to follow later this month, strengthening the Dutch presence in the region.
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An Antonov AN-124, one of the world's largest transport aircraft, is tasked with transporting the disassembled Chinook (Picture source: Dutch MoD)

The preparation for the Chinook's transport within the Antonov required meticulous disassembly, including the rotor blades, the structure above the cockpit, and the aft pylon. A detailed loading plan was developed to ensure the helicopter's precise placement within the aircraft. This procedure, previously tested last year, aims to facilitate transport to Al Asad Air Base in Iraq, where a technical team will reassemble the helicopter.

The dispatch of these three Chinooks, along with a 120-member detachment, is part of a broader initiative to enhance security and stability in Iraq while reducing the terrorist threat. These helicopters will play a key role in supplying units and moving advisors, units, and materials, thereby supporting training, advising, and assistance efforts in the defense and security sector.

In addition to the helicopter detachment, the Netherlands is contributing to the mission with a 110-member unit from the Air Mobile Brigade responsible for force protection. This company secures military and civilian advisors in and around Baghdad. Starting May 24, Lieutenant General Cas Schreurs will lead the NATO mission in Iraq, demonstrating the Netherlands' ongoing commitment to the region.

Since 1995, the Air Force has commissioned 13 Chinooks in the D (Delta) version. Two of these were lost in 2005 during the ISAF mission in Afghanistan, reducing the total fleet to 11. Between 2008 and 2013, the fleet expanded with the addition of 6 new helicopters in the F (Foxtrot) version.

From 2015 to 2023, the remaining 11 Delta versions (CH-47D) were replaced with 14 new Foxtrot-type aircraft (CH-47F MYII CAAS). The 6 "older" CH-47Fs that were already part of the fleet were upgraded to match the new aircraft's standards. This brings the total fleet to 20 CH-47F MYII CAAS units.

The Chinook is a twin-engine, heavy-lift helicopter known for its tandem rotor configuration, which provides exceptional lifting capacity and stability in challenging conditions. Developed by Boeing, the Chinook has been extensively used by the U.S. military and other armed forces worldwide since the 1960s. Its primary roles include troop transportation, material support, and logistical assistance in combat zones, but it is also suitable for rescue missions, medical evacuations, and firefighting due to its heavy-lift capability, including external loading systems.

Capable of carrying over 30 fully equipped soldiers or an equivalent load of equipment, the Chinook can reach cruising speeds of over 290 km/h and cover distances of more than 370 km, varying with configuration and load. Its use extends beyond military operations, playing a vital role in humanitarian interventions, delivering relief materials to disaster-stricken or inaccessible areas, and supporting construction projects, especially in remote locations. The Chinook's versatility, high payload capacity, and reliability make it an indispensable asset in modern operations, capable of meeting the diverse requirements of contemporary missions.

Defense News April 2024