Dutch Chinooks Deploy to Mali

摘要

The Dutch Defence Helicopter Command deployed three of its Boeing CH-47D Chinooks to Mali in mid-September as part of the nation's military participation in the United Nations-led Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). The transport helicopters join four Boeing AH-64D Apaches from 301 Squadron that have operated in Mali since May (see RNLAF Apaches Deploy to Mali, June, p5). Like the Apaches, 298 Squadron's Chinooks were airlifted from their home base at Gilze-Rijen to Mali's capital, Bamako, where they were reassembled before continuing to the Dutch Camp Castor near the city of Goa in the east of the country. First to leave, on September 9, was CH-47D D-103 onboard Antonov An-124-100 RA-82037 (c 9773052955071) of the Russian Air Force's 224th Flight Unit. The Antonov returned to Gilze-Rijen the next day, taking D-662 and D-666 to Bamako on September 11. The Chinook detachment, which involves some 70 personnel, is expected to be operational from October 1 and will be tasked with transport and medical evacuation for MINUSMA troops.