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Service history of the Alouette III with the RNLAF
The Alouette III helicopter has been in
service with the Royal Netherlands Air Force (KLU, Koninklijke
Luchtmacht) since 1963. Falling under
the Command of the Air Forces in peacetime, the GPLV's operational role
was to fly scouting, liaison and light transport missions for 1 (NL)
Corps, under which command they would fall in wartime. The tasking for
this helicopter has changed substantially over the past years. The
primary mission for the last remaining four Alouette III consists of
conducting Royal Flights and VIP flights.
Delivery to the Royal
Netherlands Air Force
In the fifties the Group Light aircraft (Groep Lichte Vliegtuigen = GPLV)
of the Netherlands Army was equipped with an Auster, Super Cub and
Beaver aircraft. These were complimented by the first helicopters used
by the GPLV the Hiller UH-23and Alouette II in mixed squadrons.
The aircraft were property of the Army, but maintenance and flying
personnel was from the Netherlands air force This would change in 1993
as the mixed structure of the GPLV was ended and all aircraft and
personal where transferred to the Air Force. In 1965 an order was
placed for the Sud-Aviation SA-3160 Alouette III. For the army the first
series of fifty helicopters was ordered directly at Sud-Aviation.
The first two helicopters, A-208 and A-209 arrived august 31, 1964 at
the air base Soesterberg. By December 1965 all fifty helicopters were
delivered. A second series of twenty-seven helicopters were built by the firm
“Lichtwerk” at Hoogeveen, the Netherlands. These helicopters were built
and delivered between October 1967 and July 1969. A-451 was the first
Dutch built Alouette III.
For the Royal Netherlands Air Force itself an order was placed for five
helicopters to replace the Alouette II in use with the SAR flight. These
SAR Alouette IIIs were equipped with inflatable floats under the skids
and the fuselage and a winch to hoist survivors from the sea.
Operational history
The Alouette III performed a multitude of tasks during its service such
as: VIP transport and Royal Flights, photo and film recordings, tactical
transports, Forward Air Control, tactical patrols, leading Artillery
Fire, Search and Rescue. During the 1990s the Alouette had it busiest
period of deployments to several countries.
The Alouette III busiest period of service was during the 1990s with
several deployments. Following the Gulf War in 1991, they flew missions
to assist the Kurds on the border of northern Iraq and Turkey. During
that humanitarian UN operation - Operation Provide Comfort - three
Alouette III helicopters and personnel from 298 Squadron were assigned
to assist 11 Engineers Auxiliary Battalion of the Royal Netherlands
Army.
Missions followed as part of the European Community Monitor Missions in
former Yugoslavia and UN tasks in Cambodia as part of UNTAC. For the
European Community Monitor Missions, three Alouette III transported teams of
EC diplomats (one of whom was from the Netherlands) who were responsible
for monitoring compliance with the Brijuni Agreement (1991). That
agreement called for a ceasefire between Slovenia, Croatia and the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Alouette also went to Cambodia in the early 1990s. First three, then
four
Alouette III provided support to the 750-strong Dutch marine battalion.
During this deployment with four Alouette III helicopters the helicopters
were in a white colour scheme with a number of elephant symbols on it,
representing missions flown. The Alouette III completed 1,845 missions
for a total of 2,580 flight hours. The final mission was the deployment
to Bosnia in support of the IFOR peacekeeping force..
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Probably best known due to the
Grasshopper display team.
The Grasshopper team, equipped with the Alouette III, performed in
many air shows in Europe in a red white and blue colour scheme applied.
This colour scheme was not used right from the start but was applied
from 1979 after several different colour schemes.
The team was “created” in 1973 when four pilots from 299 squadron
decided to put up a show at the sixtieth anniversary of the Royal
Netherlands Air Force, celebrated at Deelen AB, the home base of the
squadron. These four pilots were Lieutenant Gert-Jan Sijtema; Lieutenant
Menno van de Berg; 2nd lieutenant Jan Jansen and Lieutenant Harry van
Dam.
A problem with display flying and especially formation flying with the
Alouette III was its instability during formation flying. Working around
the limitation the team created a wonderful show with the helicopters
turning like it was as simple as …
Another important change was that all Alouette were transferred from 299
squadron to 300 squadron, also based at Deelen AB and so the team moved
to 300 squadron.
During its active period the developed a good marketing strategy by
selling all kind off items from there one van, something more and more
teams started doing at a later date. The team resaved many good
publications after the shows and naturally won prices at the IAT in the
UK
The team was disbanded in 19995 because of a tragic accident during
training and the pending withdrawal of the Alouette III from operational
service.
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Squadrons equipped with the Alouette
III |
298 squadron
298 squadron is the oldest squadron within the defence helicopter
command. Its history goes back to the end of the Second World War as NR
6 Dutch Auster squadron an artillery reconnaissance unit. This Unit is
transformed to 298 AOP (Air Observation Post) squadron at Soesterberg AB
in March 1950. In the first years the squadron is equipped with four
Auster’s which will be replaced by L-21 Super Cub in the following years
and a transfer to Deelen AB is made in 1951. The introduction to
helicopters is with the H-23 Raven at Deelen AB in 1955. From 1957 until
1963 the squadron operates from Ypenburg AB where it resaves it first
Alouette II for the SAR flight (late to become a separate unit).
In 1963 the squadron moves again to Deelen AB as Ypenburg becomes a
sleeping base. At Deelen the first Alouette III as the squadron start
its conversion to this helicopter the last H-23 leaves the squadron in
1965. In 1968 the squadron is on the move again this time to Soesterberg
AB leaving its fixed wing aircraft at Deelen AB for 300 squadron. A new
type of helicopter de Bo-105 is introduced to the squadron in 1975.
The squadron will use booth types for a short period as the decision is
made to create a Bo-105 and an Alouette III squadron whereby 298
squadron receives the Alouette III in 1979. In the next years the
squadron stays at Soesterberg AB as dues several deployments for the UN.
In 1996 the squadron converts to the Boeing CH-47F. Today the squadron
still operates the Chinook from Gilze Rijen AB as part of the Defensie
Helikopter Commando.
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299 Squadron
299 squadron was created in September flying a mix of fixed wing
aircraft and helicopters like its sister squadron 298 at Deelen AB. In
the first years it is responsible for the training of fixed wing and
helicopter pilots. In 1957 it moves toe Ypenburg AB where it would stay
until its return at Deelen AB in 1962 at which point the training of
helicopter pilots is transferred to the newly erected 300 squadron. In
May 1962 the transition from the H-23B to the Alouette III is completed
and from 1969 the last fixed wing aircraft leave the squadron making it
all helicopter squadron.
In 1976 a new helicopter is introduced to 299 squadron the Bo-105. At
first the two types fly site by site in 298 and 299 squadron but in
august 1979 the Alouette III are transferred to 298 squadron and 299
becomes fully operational on the B0-105 ending it use of the Alouette
III.
The squadron is possibly best known for its demonstration team The
Grasshoppers.
At this moment 299 squadron is still a operational unit al Gilze Rijen
AB responsibly for different aspects off training , using helicopters
from the other units at Gilze Rijen AB if needed.
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300 Squadron
As one of three reserve squadrons 300, 301 and 302 it is the only one to
be formed ( although 301 and 302 will be formed as AH-64 squadrons on a
later date) at Ypenburg AB in 1962. It starts operating in the Training
role at first on the H-23 Raven but by august 1965 the transition has
been made to the Alouette III. From this point the squadron also still
operates the L-21B super cub and the DHC 2 Beaver. A period that ends
with the retirement of the last Super Cub in 1976
As Ypenburg AB loses its operational states the squadron moves to Deelen
AB 1968 at that point it transfers it training task to 299 squadron a
task it would gain again in 1975. At first pilots come from the Fort
Rucker were they received there helicopter training and from 1989 pilots
come from the course at Woensdrecht.
With the introduction of the Cougar helicopter to the squadron it moves
again this time to Soesterberg AB. As the introduction of the Cougar
progresses Alouette III are leaving the squadron, with the Alouette
being very popular with the royal family it is decided that a flight of
four will be kept in service for the transport of the royal family and
other VIPs, the SE.3160 Alouette III were modified by RUAG in Alpnach,
Switzerland, to the more powerful SA.316B and received a blue colour
scheme.
With the creation of the Defensie Helikopter Commando (DHC) the squadron
moved to Gilze Rijen AB where it is still based today, operations with
the Alouette III ended in December 2015.
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SAR Flight - 303 Squadron
On March 25 1959 the first of six Alouette II were integrated in to 298
squadron at Ypenburg AB as Search and rescue flight. The search and
rescue task is directly linked to the exercise area for these aircraft
in the Waddenzee. In addition to the SAR task, the air force also
deploys the helicopters for transporting patients from the West Frisian
Islands to hospitals on the mainland and for rescuing people from the
sea. In April of the same year the flight reaches its operational states
with a deployment at Terschelling. In 1962 the flight becomes an
independent unit and one off the extra tasked off the unit becomes the
transport off the Royal family In 1967 the Alouette II are being
replaced by the Alouette III which coincided with a transfer of the
flight to Soesterberg AB.
On October 8 1971 Alouette III H-08 is lost in an accident, leaving the
flight with only four helicopters. In June 1977 the flight moves again,
this time to Leeuwarden AB to be closer to the ranges and so its
operational area. In 1992 a contract is signed for three AB 412SP as a
replacement for the Alouette III, the first Alouette to leave the flight
is H-20 when it is delivered to the air force museum on December 13
1993.
By March 1994 the flight is fully operational on the AB 412SP.
On 1st off January 2015, the characteristic yellow AB-412SP search-and-rescue helicopters where taken out of service.
The three AB 412SP helicopters where sold to Chilli and Consequently, 303 Squadron, stationed at Leeuwarden Air Base
at the time was disbanded.
In total, the 303 Squadron helicopters made almost 5,500 life-saving and emergency sorties during is
existence
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End of the line
End of the line
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Some of the Alouette III helicopters were sold back to Eurocopter as
part of the purchase agreement for the Cougar. This had no effect on the
operational states as most were in reserve for 301 and 302 squadron.
Others have been sold to civilian buyers, museums, technical schools and
the air forces of Chad, Malta and Pakistan.
In December 2015 the last four Alouette, in service with 300 squadron for the “Royal
flight”, where officially retired by the Royal Netherlands Air Force from service
ending more than 50 years of flying.
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Serial |
Type |
CN |
Unit |
Status |
Comment |
PreviousID |
A-247 |
SA316B |
1247 |
300sq |
Stored |
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A-275 |
SA316B |
1275 |
300sq |
Stored |
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A-292 |
SA316B |
1292 |
300sq |
Stored |
|
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A-301 |
SA316B |
1301 |
300sq |
Stored |
|
|
A-177 |
SE3160 |
1177 |
|
Civil |
|
|
A-208 |
SE3160 |
1208 |
|
Civil |
|
|
A-209 |
SE3160 |
1209 |
|
to Malta |
as 9H-ADA |
|
A-217 |
SE3160 |
1217 |
|
to France |
as 1217 |
|
A-218 |
SE3160 |
1218 |
|
Civil |
|
|
A-226 |
SE3160 |
1226 |
|
Civil |
|
|
A-227 |
SE3160 |
1227 |
|
Civil |
|
|
A-235 |
SE3160 |
1235 |
|
Civil |
|
|
A-236 |
SE3160 |
1236 |
298sq |
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w/o 28aug75 |
|
A-246 |
SE3160 |
1246 |
|
Stored |
|
|
A-253 |
SE3160 |
1253 |
|
Instr. Airframe |
Gilze Rijn |
|
A-254 |
SE3160 |
1254 |
298sq |
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w/o 08feb80 |
|
A-260 |
SE3160 |
1260 |
|
Stored |
Gilze Rijen |
|
A-261 |
SE3160 |
1261 |
|
Instr. Airframe |
VTOC Schiphol |
|
A-266 |
SE3160 |
1266 |
|
to Pakistan |
as 1266 |
|
A-267 |
SE3160 |
1267 |
|
Preserved |
Orange |
|
A-274 |
SE3160 |
1274 |
|
scrapped |
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A-281 |
SE3160 |
1281 |
|
to France |
as 1281 |
|
A-282 |
SE3160 |
1282 |
299sq |
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w/o 17may70 |
|
A-293 |
SE3160 |
1293 |
|
Instr. Airframe |
Hoofddorp |
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A-302 |
SE3160 |
1302 |
|
to Chad |
as 1302 |
|
A-302 |
SE3160 |
1302 |
|
to Chad |
as 1302 |
|
A-307 |
SE3160 |
1307 |
|
Civil |
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A-319 |
SE3160 |
1319 |
|
Instr. Airframe |
Gilze Rijen |
|
A-324 |
SE3160 |
1324 |
|
Civil |
|
|
A-336 |
SE3160 |
1336 |
|
to France |
as 1336 |
|
A-342 |
SE3160 |
1342 |
|
to Chad |
as 1342 |
|
A-343 |
SE3160 |
1343 |
|
Instr. Airframe |
Woensdrecht |
|
A-350 |
SE3160 |
1350 |
|
Civil |
|
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A-351 |
SE3160 |
1351 |
300sq |
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w/o 01oct90 |
|
A-366 |
SE3160 |
1366 |
|
Instr. Airframe |
Delft |
|
A-374 |
SE3160 |
1374 |
|
to France |
as 1374 |
|
A-382 |
SE3160 |
1382 |
298sq |
|
w/o 13aug70 |
|
A-383 |
SE3160 |
1383 |
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to France |
as 1383 |
|
A-390 |
SE3160 |
1390 |
|
Civil |
|
|
A-391 |
SE3160 |
1391 |
|
Gilze-Rijen |
Preserved |
|
A-398 |
SE3160 |
1398 |
|
Civil |
|
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A-399 |
SE3160 |
1399 |
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to Malta |
as 9H-ADB |
|
A-406 |
SE3160 |
1406 |
300sq |
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w/o 20mar84 |
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A-407 |
SE3160 |
1407 |
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to France |
as 1407 |
|
A-414 |
SE3160 |
1414 |
|
to France |
as A-414 |
|
A-415 |
SE3160 |
1415 |
298sq |
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w/o 30jul70 |
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A-451 |
SE3160 |
1451 |
|
Civil |
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A-452 |
SE3160 |
1452 |
|
Civil |
|
|
A-453 |
SE3160 |
1453 |
|
to France |
as 1453 |
|
A-464 |
SE3160 |
1464 |
|
Civil |
|
|
A-465 |
SE3160 |
1465 |
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Preserved |
Soesterberg |
|
A-470 |
SE3160 |
1470 |
300sq |
|
w/o 29jul88 |
|
A-471 |
SE3160 |
1471 |
|
Civil |
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A-482 |
SE3160 |
1482 |
|
Civil |
|
|
A-483 |
SE3160 |
1483 |
|
Civil |
|
|
A-488 |
SE3160 |
1488 |
|
Civil |
|
|
A-489 |
SE3160 |
1489 |
|
Civil |
|
|
A-494 |
SE3160 |
1494 |
|
Civil |
|
|
A-495 |
SE3160 |
1495 |
|
Civil |
|
|
A-499 |
SE3160 |
1499 |
|
Civil |
|
|
A-500 |
SE3160 |
1500 |
|
Civil |
|
|
A-514 |
SE3160 |
1514 |
|
Civil |
|
|
A-515 |
SE3160 |
1515 |
|
Civil |
|
|
A-521 |
SE3160 |
1521 |
|
Civil |
|
|
A-522 |
SE3160 |
1522 |
|
Instr. Airframe |
VTOC Schiphol |
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A-528 |
SE3160 |
1528 |
|
Civil |
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A-529 |
SE3160 |
1529 |
|
Civil |
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A-535 |
SE3160 |
1535 |
|
Civil |
|
|
A-536 |
SE3160 |
1536 |
|
Civil |
|
|
A-542 |
SE3160 |
1542 |
|
Civil |
|
|
A-543 |
SE3160 |
1543 |
300sq |
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w/o 20mar84 |
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A-549 |
SE3160 |
1549 |
|
Stored |
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A-550 |
SE3160 |
1550 |
|
Stored |
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H-08 |
SE3160 |
1308 |
SAR Flt |
|
w/o 08oct71 |
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H-20 |
SE3160 |
1320 |
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Preserved |
Soesterberg |
|
H-67 |
SE3160 |
1367 |
|
to Pakistan |
as 1367 |
|
H-75 |
SE3160 |
1375 |
|
to Pakistan |
as 1375 |
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H-81 |
SE3160 |
1381 |
|
to Pakistan |
as 1381 |
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