The Netherlands Ministry of Defense has decided that the exercise Frisian Flag from Leeuwarden Air Base is canceled. This exercise was scheduled from March 23 to April 3.

Although the exercise was planned in Friesland, units from other provinces, including Noord-Brabant, would support Frisian Flag.

Defense takes measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in the Netherlands, but must guarantee any serious effort (such as airspace surveillance).

Therefore, it is not possible to provide the necessary support for the exercise.
Units from different countries would participate in this.

Helicopter training

In addition to the exercise Frisian Flag, it has also been decided not to continue the foreign part of the helicopter training called Helicopter Weapon Instructors Course for now.

This part would take place in Germany.
The part will be caught up at a later time. When is not yet known.

Cold Response

The international Cold Response exercise in and near Norway has also been discontinued.

Yesterday, the Norwegian armed forces announced that the exercise will be gradually phased out.

Today it became clear that also for Dutch participants such as Zr.Ms. Johan de Witt the exercise ends.
The scenarios in which Dutch military personnel participate will end tomorrow.

Defender 2020
The media day that would take place on March 14 for the large-scale exercise Defender 2020 has been canceled.

COVID-19

The Defense organization closely monitors the situation regarding the distribution of COVID-19 and follows the advice of RIVM.

For each exercise, it is considered whether it can continue, possibly with additional measures, or whether it will be canceled.

Photo Marcel van Leeuwen