Dutch heaylift evolves

摘要

Dutch helicopter operations have come a long way in the past 15 years. Spearheading that change is 298 Squadron, an illustrious unit that traces its lineage back to April 16,1945, as the first post-war Dutch squadron. Initially known as No 6 ARVA Squadron (Artillerie Verkennings Afdeling, Artillery Reconnaissance Department) under the Directoraat Nederlandse Luchtstrijdkrachten (DNLSK) at Gilze-Rijen Air Base, it commenced operations with the Auster Mk3. It subsequently became re-numbered as 298 Squadron in 1950 and flew a number of fixed-wing types before moving to the helicopters it flies today. That evolution included the fielding of a large Alouette Ⅲ fleet that ultimately contributed to NATO Cold War taskings through battlefield observation.