Mission complete: Netherlands finish air defense role in Turkey

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Krystal Ardrey
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  In January 2013, the Netherlands sent two Patriot missile batteries to Turkey in response to a Turkish government request for air defense assistance from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to help protect its citizens from potential ballistic missile threats from Syria.

The United States and Germany also sent two Patriot missile batteries each to help bolster security along Turkey's border with Syria. These four missiles are based respectively in Kahramanmaras and Gaziantep, Turkey while the two Dutch Patriot missile batteries are deployed to the city of Adana, one which is stationed at Incirlik Air Base.

While no missiles have been launched at Turkey during their stay, members of the Dutch army and air force have provided round-the-clock coverage for the last two years.

When asked about the ongoing NATO mission, Col. Niels Vredegoor, 1st Netherlands Ballistic Missile Defense Task Force commander, said, "No missiles came in but we showed some really strong resolve. For the soldiers, this is what you train for. Whenever we are called upon, then you just want to do what you have been training to do."

About 200 of the 300 Dutch forces who specialize in Patriot missiles are deployed to Incirlik at any one time. Due to such a high tempo of mission requirements, Patriot specific personnel have been opting for a shorter but more frequent cycle of deployments. This meant that many of the Patriot operators did not deploy with the same crew every time.

"The constant rotations turned out not to be that big of a deal because of our standardization of work processes," said Vredegoor. "Our training is so standardized that basically you can pick up anybody out of any Patriot crew and put them into another crew and they can perform the mission without error. They will just continue to work."

Last year, the Netherlands announced that it no longer had the resources to maintain the batteries on Turkish soil and soon after, the Spanish Air Force agreed to replace them. The NATO partners are scheduled to officially changeover next week.
"Our sole mission for the past two years has been to defend against ballistic missiles," said Vredegoor. "In doing so, we've run more equipment hours in the last two years than in the past 20; so we need to train up again. Not only against ballistic missiles but on air defense against UAVs, helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. That way, we are prepped and ready for any air defense mission in the future."

The commander estimated that it will take about a year to fully clean and provide any needed maintenance to the equipment. He also projected that the Spanish Armed Forces will be able to take over the position with ease.

As parting words, Vredegoor left this last piece of advice for the newcomers, "Stay alert and stay focused."