Royal National Air Force Flashcards
When was the Royal Netherlands Air Force founded?
March 11, 1953
Does US team with the RNAF?
Both U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) and The Royal Netherlands Air Force signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to share space situational awareness. In the transit to a 5th Generation Air Force, the Dutch Air Force relies even more on space-based systems. To ensure that the operational commander has the best Situational Awareness and Situational Understanding possible, it is imperative to include information about and from the Space domain. Cooperation throughout the Coalition is the key in creating an accurate and actual image of the influences of the Space domain.
What are the 5 main missions of the RNAF?
The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) main mission is to provide AIR POWER where and when the Dutch government requires it. The following tasks or missions can be distinguished:
Defense - defend both Dutch and allied air space.
Peace keeping - maintain the peace.
Peace enforcing - restore the peace.
Civil support - support civilian authorities.
Humanitarian aid - support the humanitarian aid mission.
DPECA
More information:
For the task of defense the RNLAF operates the F-16 fighter. Air defense systems include the Patriot missile system and Stinger. Dutch airspace is guarded by the radar control stations at New Milligen. The station also covers a large part of Western Europe. The air force also deploys personnel onboard the NATO E-3 AWACS aircraft. KDC-10 tankers not only support the RNLAF F-16 operations but also regularly refuel fighters of United States and other allies.
Examples of the peace keeping and peace enforcing missions are the operations over Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. Patriot missiles were deployed in 1991 to protect Israel from SCUD attacks. Also in the recent Gulf War patriots deployed to Turkey. F-16 were deployed for close air support and combat air patrols. Dutch AH-64 Apaches were embedded with the American Cavalry for operation Joint Forge in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Supporting UN and SFOR troops detachments of Cougar or Chinook helicopters were send to Macedonia and Chinooks were deployed to Iraq in 2004. Six F-16 fighters have been deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom since 2002, as well as AH-64D Apaches and either Chinook or Cougar helicopters have been deployed since 2004.
For civilian support personnel and equipment are available. The AB-412 search and rescue helicopters are on stand-by to react to emergencies in the northwest of the country. For example ships that are in trouble or civilians on the islands that need transport to a hospital. The AH-64 Apache has been deployed in search of escaped criminals. The F-16 has been used for photo reconnaissance to locate burried corpses for a murder investigation. Most recently, the F-16 was sent to Aruba to search for the body of the missing US teenager Nathalie Holloway.
C-130 Hercules and Fokker transport planes have been sent around the world to provide humanitarian aid where needed on many occasions. Examples are the food crises in Rwanda 1995, floodings around the world, and the earthquake in Iran. Cougar helicopters have also assisted with forest fires in Portugal and more recently Greece. Of course the KDC-10 have been heavily used to provide tanker support for operations, as well as transport of troops, supplies and equipment to Afghanistan. The C-130 Hercules aircraft also fly regularly to Afghanistan, as well as intra theatre supply missions.
What is the role of RNAF in space?
The Royal Netherlands Air Force has a Space Force. To address these threats and secure the future of humanity in space, the Royal Netherlands Space Force was founded. The goal of the RNLSF was to ensure the safety of Dutch settlers and their assets in space and to participate in international operations to ensure the safety of all citizens in space.
What is Defence Vision 2035 and what is the first military satellite launched?
The first Dutch military satellite was successfully launched. BRIK II, a nanosatellite, was placed into orbit around the Earth by the company Virgin Orbit. BRIK II is an experimental project of the Royal Netherlands Air Force that marks the entry of the Netherlands Ministry of Defence into the space domain.
Defence Vision 2035 states that space has become a necessary link in the information-driven operations of the armed forces. The Defence organisation is very dependent on satellites, for example for navigation and communication systems.
To keep development scalable and affordable, the Defence organisation works together with Dutch industry and knowledge institutes. BRIK II is a product of this cooperation. The launch is a first test to demonstrate the potential of nanosatellites for military and civilian use.
