RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas: The commander of the Royal Netherlands air force visited the Air Education and Training Command headquarters Feb. 14 through 16 to learn more about
remotely piloted aircraft, strategic airlift and space.
“I think our footprint in AETC is rather big because of the number of people who train in the United States which is due to most of the systems we operate being made here,” said General Jansen, the commander of the Royal Netherlands air force. “Our goal for this visit is to get an overall view of the training possibilities and the philosophy behind them.”
In addition to a one-day trip to attend the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program graduation at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, the Netherland’s top airman spent time with Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz, the AETC commander, to learn about expeditionary training, cyber training, advanced technology in the classroom and employment of the F-35 Lightening II.
Pete Marth, the Security Assistance and Training Program manager for the Netherlands, briefed General Jansen on AETC’s international training construct and how it affects the 106 Dutch students programmed for training in the U.S. this year.
“The Netherland’s participation in NATO and international training exercises, such as Red Flag, has prepared us well for coalition operations,” General Jansen said. “As a small country, we cannot execute such a mission in isolation and must participate as part of a coalition.”
Such cooperation isn’t only important to the Netherland’s expeditionary forces supporting contingency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, but to honor their commitment to a 30-year strategic airlift capability program involved in humanitarian assistance endeavors such as providing aid to the people of Haiti affected by the January earthquake.
“With 500 flight hours, the Netherlands is the third largest participant in the SAC C-17 (Globemaster III) program,” the general said referring to the Heavy Airlift Wing’s multinational partnership to collectively solve global heavy airlift issues. “The success of the program is vital to the enlargement of our expeditionary capability and strengthening the bonds with our military allies.”
Dutch Airmen receive some of their aircrew training in Nashville, Tenn., from members of the 118th Airlift Wing Air National Guard unit.
The decision to participate in the international training program stems from a 2008 visit to the U.S. by General Jansen’s predecessor. In the near future, the RNAF hopes to send loadmasters to the U.S. for C-130 (Hercules) training.
With the evolving technologies of both air forces, the next major program is proving to be employment of the F-35.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, announced Feb. 1 that he believes the restructured F-35 program is on track to become the backbone of U.S. air superiority for the next generation.
“The U.S. Air Force are, and the Royal Netherland’s air force hopefully will be, employing fifth generation fighters requiring us to rethink our way of training and operating with manned aircraft,” General Jansen said.
Innovation is crucial to the survival of any organization, the general said, adding that continuing to develop joint training programs for the benefit of both nations is paramount with the focus on sharing lessons learned and reducing costs.
“Without excellent crews our sophisticated systems are useless,” General Jansen said.
