Exercise Falcon Leap - The Netherlands

from The Aviation Magazine – No. 72 – 2021-01 to 03

Policía Nacional de Colombia

FALCON LEAP 2020

Royal Netherlands Air Force C-130H droping paratroopers during Falcon Leap part two (PJE - para jump exercise) main image and performing CDS (Cargo Delivery System) drops inset. Photos Dutch Defense Media Centre

FALCON LEAP 2020

REPORT AND IMAGES BY JORIS VAN BOVEN AND ALEX VAN NOIJE UNLESS NOTED

The annual 'MarketGarden' parachute airdrop was held at the Ginkelse Hei near Arnhem, in the Netherlands, in September. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, media access to this exercise was very limited. This exercise, called 'Falcon Leap', is divided into two parts.

Falcon Leap, part 1, from 07 to 11 September

Part 1 of this exercise consisted of the dropping of cargo from various military transport aircraft above the Deelen and Oldebroek training areas. It was planned to fly a mission over the training areas three times a day. At the beginning of the week, a U. S. C-130 and a French C-130 deployed to Eindhoven Airbase to practice together with C-130 Hercules aircraft of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. However, due to bad weather, no missions were flown in the first days of the week, causing the U. S. C-130 to return prematurely. The French C-130 left for France on Friday 11 September, after having flown several missions with the Dutch Hercules aircraft.

Falcon Leap, part 2, from 14 to 18 September

Part 2 of this exercise consisted of dropping paratroopers from various military transport aircraft above training areas where no spectators were allowed. These practice areas include Renkum, Deelen, and the Ginkelse Hei; all located around the city of Arnhem. For this 2nd part of the Falcon Leap exercise, transport

aircraft from the Netherlands, Belgium, United States, and Germany flew two to three missions per day.

Overflight Eindhoven, 18 September

On 18 September 1944, the city of Eindhoven was liberated by the Allied troops. Every year on 18 September, there is a commemoration in Eindhoven, where at 8 p.m., one or more C-130s of the Royal Netherlands Air Force fly over the city. This year, the European Air Transport Command (EATC), with its headquarters in Eindhoven, coordinated a unique flyby with a Dutch C-130, a Belgian C-130, a French A400M and, a German C-160 Transall. Additional aircraft were a Supermarine Spitfire and a B-25 Mitchell from the Dutch Air force Historical Flight at Gilze-Rijen AB.

Paratroopers on their way to board the aircraft at Eindhoven AB for the second part of the exercise

Four C-130 Hercules and one C-160 Transall lining-up on the taxiway, waiting for clearance into take-off position

1 Three C-130 Hercules are returning to Eindhoven AB after having completed their mission 2 RNLAF C-130H Hercules marking "25 Years C-130 Hercules" 3 GAF C-160D Transall 4 USANG West Virginia C-130H