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INTRODUCTION
In 2000, the Dutch Ministry of Defense (MoD) placed an order for 20 NH90 NFH (NATO Frigate Helicopter) maritime helicopters. The so-called N2 helicopters were bought to replace the aging fleet of Westland Lynx helicopters that was in use by the Royal Netherlands Navy since 1976.
The NH90 arose from the concept of developing a joint NATO helicopter. The Netherlands is a lead nation in the project, together with France. The NH90 was developed and is manufactured by NHIndustries, a joint venture between Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo and Fokker Aerostructures. Despite the first prototype conducting its maiden flight in December 1995, the type did not enter operational service until 2007. In 2010, The Netherlands became the first country to receive the NFH variant. Despite its origins as a collaborative effort, several different versions of the NH90 were developed which makes sharing among the NH90 project partners and efficient updates to the aircraft difficult. Ultimately, perhaps predictably, every NH90 country has developed their own version of the helicopter.
All 20 Dutch NH90s are currently stationed at Maritime Airstation de Kooy. The aircraft are split into two squadrons: 7 squadron for training and 860 squadron which is the operational NH90 squadron. Both squadrons are covered by the Defense Helicopter Command (DHC) which consists of both Air Force and Navy personnel. Both Air Force and Navy pilots and crew members operate the NH90s.
TRAINING
All NH90 pilots begin their training at Woensdrecht Air Base flying the fixed-wing PC-7. After Woensdrecht the trainees go to Bückeburg Air Base in Germany to continue their training. Bückeburg is one of the most modern International training centers for helicopters in Europe. After initial helicopter flight instruction is completed, the students are assigned to 7 Squadron and receive their type rating. Once arriving at the training squadron, the students still have a year before they are fully trained to step in as an NH90 co-pilot. The new pilots are also required to complete a deployment that may include going to the Caribbean for anti-drug patrols, to Somalia to fight piracy, or going on a NATO mission to the Baltic Sea.