Demo Team Apache1

Transcription

1 Demo Team Apache1

2 2Apache Demo Team

3 Foreword PREPARE TO BE DAZZLED! I am proud to present to you the Apache Solo Display Team of the Royal Netherlands Air Force! The team is back in the year that we are celebrating a century of military aviation. The Q17 is fitted out in a new colour scheme that was designed especially for this centennial. The team flies the Apache to show the public just how agile this combat helicopter is. So, prepare to be dazzled by a spectacular display of helicopter aerobatics! But of course we can do more than this. With this helicopter, my men and women have been able to make a difference in countless situations in Afghanistan by providing close air support to the troops on the ground. Just like any other member of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, the members of the Apache Solo Display Team are ready for deployment at all times to hot spots anywhere across the globe to provide their contribution in the interest of peace and security. Delivering that support under extreme conditions calls for intensive, responsible and careful operation by pilot and technician alike. The same applies to the preparation and performance of an air display. The Royal Netherlands Air Force delivers a contribution that matters. Not just with our Apaches in Afghanistan in the recent past, but with various types of aircraft, at home and abroad. During the Royal Netherlands Air Force Open Days, you will be able to see more and get a feel of what the Royal Netherlands Air Force is about. The Apache Solo Display Team will be part of the show as well. As the proud commander of this Air Base, I am confident that you will enjoy the show! Air Commodore Aviator Jan Willem Westerbeek Commander, Defence Helicopter Command 3

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5 The Team The Royal Netherlands Air Force proudly presents the Apache Solo Display Team. It is the only Apache Display Team in the world, which makes its show one of a kind!! That s why the Royal Netherlands Air Force is proud to present this demonstration that highlights the capabilities of this combat helicopter and its dedicated crew. For more details, visit out our website at: Camaraderie and team work are the first priorities for the team. Without the technicians and coaches on the ground, the pilots cannot perform their show in the air. Meet the members of the Apache Solo Display Team: a powerful combination! In the picture -from left to right - Name: Boudewijn Stance Stevens (25) Rank: Captain Function: Team coach Flying hours: 1000 Missions abroad: Afghanistan Name: Joey the Joker Boertjes (34) Rank: Sergeant First Class Function: Specialist aircraft maintenance Missions abroad: Iraq and Afghanistan Name: Harm Kaas Cazemier (42) Rank: Captain Function: Display pilot Flying hours: 1900 Missions abroad: Afghanistan and Iraq Name: Roland Wally Blankenspoor (40) Rank: Major Function: Display pilot-in-command and Captain of the team Flying hours: 3300 Missions abroad: Djibouti and Afghanistan Name: Erwin Veenstra (39) Rank: Sergeant Major Function: Supervisor specialist avionics, Chief, Technical Engineers Missions abroad: Djibouti, Iraq, and Afghanistan Name: Michel Loeki van Leeuwen (42) Rank: Sergeant-Major Function: Supervisor specialist aircraft maintenance Missions abroad: Djibouti, Iraq, Afghanistan Name: Rik Kuijpers (27) Rank: Sergeant Function: Specialist avionics Name: Job Blow Verberg (29) Rank: Captain Function: Team coach Flying hours: 1000 Missions abroad: Afghanistan 5

6 Pilots on the job Display pilots Wally: is team captain and flies all the manoeuvres of the show. You have to be able to trust each other one hundred percent, whether you re exercising, on deployment, or performing this demo. You always aim for a peak performance, for yourself, the public, and for the team. Kaas: is co-pilot and assists in the execution of the flying manoeuvres. If you d ask me what gives me the greatest satisfaction in this job, it would be the fact that I am allowed and able to support troops in distress on the ground at all times. 6

7 Coaches on the job Blow: as the first coach he is responsible for the organisation and the security of the show. Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be an Air Force pilot. It s a great feeling to be able to fly an Apache and to have the privilege of providing support to ground troops in distress. Stance: is second coach and responsible for the pre-flight briefing of the team, among other things. Being an Air Force Pilot is very challenging; you have to be on top of your game at all times. That is quite demanding, but I do still enjoy that challenge, day after day. 7

8 Technical Engine Erwin: is chief of the Apache s team of technicians. It s always a challenge to have the helicopter fully operational again at the end of the day. Michel: is responsible for keeping all mechanics and information systems of the Apache in tip-top condition. I am really proud to be able to show our public the full potential of the Apache s capabilities. It s not just for show, but also a demonstration of what the Apache can do in actual operations. Joey: is a crew chief, responsible for maintenance and operational readiness of the helicopter. I really enjoy that challenge. But it also gives me the chance to follow my passion for this aircraft, working at different locations, with a super team of colleagues! Rik: is the avionics specialist. The great thing about my job is that I get to travel to all sorts of places around the world, seeing and experiencing things that I would never have seen and done if I wasn t in this job! 8

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10 Apache The AH-64D Apache combat helicopter The agile Apache AH-64D combat helicopter can be employed for a large number of tasks, both at home and abroad. The Apache is fitted with state-of-the-art surveillance and navigation equipment, consisting of an array of sensors and advanced cameras, making it excellently suited for detection and reconnaissance tasks. Thanks to its wide range of weapons, the Apache can be tasked with the protection of troops on the ground and transport helicopters. It can be employed in an offensive role, tasked with the elimination of armoured vehicles, tanks or targets, such as command posts and radar stations, artillery batteries, and surface-to-air missiles. All these tasks, the Apache can execute under most weather conditions, by night and by day. Because of these excellent attributes, the Apache is very much in demand for employment in missions at home and abroad. The Apaches of the Royal Netherlands Air Force are based with 301 Squadron at Gilze-Rijen Air Base, as part of the Defence Helicopter Command. Facts Number: 29 helicopters Length: metres, Height: 5.33 metres Rotor diameter: m Engines: 2 General Electric T700-GE-70IC Power: 1940 hp per engine Maximum Weight: kg Speed: cruise speed 222 km/hour; maximum: 366 km/hour Range: km or circa 2.5 hours, depending on the mission. The range can be increased by taking auxiliary fuel tanks along. Manufacturer: Boeing Defense & Space Group Armament: Hellfire anti-tank missiles (maximum of 16), 2.75 inch missiles (maximum of 76), 30 mm gun (maximum of 1200 rounds) The Apache does not carry any weapons during demonstration flights. 10

11 Deployments In 1998 and 1999 Apaches took part in SFOR, a stabilization force in Bosnia- Herzegovina. In 2001, Apaches were stationed at Djibouti, ready for close air support, if necessary, to Dutch troops deployed to the United Nations peace force, UNMEE, at the borders between Ethiopia and Eritrea. From April 2004 on, the Apaches were deployed almost continuously to Afghanistan, where they proved to be life-savers to the troops on the ground on numorous occasions. While already deployed to Afghanistan, the Apaches simultaneously deployed to Iraq from 2004 till 2006 to support the Dutch troops in Al Muthanna during the Stabilization Force in Iraq (SFIR) mission. Afghanistan The Dutch combat helicopters were stationed, successively, from 2004 on at Kabul, Kandahar Airfield and Tarin Kowt, at Kamp Holland to provide the necessary air support to Dutch and Allied troops. On 11 November 2010, the Apaches concluded their operational deployment in Afghanistan, after six years of working closely together with international allies. In all, the Dutch combat helicopters have flown over 1200 missions, logging 7000 flying hours, providing support to NATO troops on the ground. National tasks The Apache combat helicopter is also employed at home at the request of the Ministry of Justice, providing assistance in police search operations. The demonstration aircraft Q-17 The demonstration helicopter has been painted in a special colour scheme this year, to mark the 100th Anniversary of Military Aviation that is celebrated by the Royal Netherlands Air Force in The Q-17 is assigned to the demo team but is also used for training missions. The hellfire racks and rocket pods have been removed from the helicopter and the show is flown with a minimum amount of fuel on board. This decreases the weight, allowing the Apache to fly faster and accelerate much quicker in the execution of the various manoeuvres. 11

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13 The show The show of 2013 promises to be a spectacular sight again. Just like other years, the demo team uses flares during the show, making this spectacular demo unique in the world. Throughout the show, safety and professionalism have the highest priority for the Apache Solo Display Team. Therefore the show is testflown, reviewed and approved before the start of each season. awards In 2011 the team won two prizes for their show. At the Royal International Air Tattoo at the RAF Fairford UK, the Dutch Apache demo team was named the best overseas flying display. During the major aviation event at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in the United Kingdom they won a prize for the best overall helicopter flying display. Calendar June Royal Netherlands Air Force Open Days, Volkel Air Base July Fairford RIAT (UK) 24 July Culdrose (UK) July Sunderland (UK) Aug Radom (PL) 13 September Sunset Show Sanicole (BE) 15 September Sanicole Airshow (BE) * The sequence Inbound from holding, headwind component ¼ Cloverleaf, 90 degrees over left/right Hammerhead turn (flares) High/Lo G Jack Flop Split-S ¼ Cloverleaf, 90 degrees right turn High turn left Roll showcentre Split-S Looping showcentre (flares) Climbing 720 degrees right turn Back-up and vertical roll 1 ¼ Hammerhead turn (flares) ¼ Cloverleaf, 90 degrees right turn High turn Roll showcentre High turn Low Pass Steep turn showcentre Bow to audience Low pass to landing * Check us out at for the latest update 13

14 Social Media Would you like to follow the team, behind the scenes? Check us out on: Facebook.com/Luchtmacht #Apachedemo And: Inspired to get a job at the Royal Netherlands Air Force? Check our website for the latest job openings at: 14

15 Did you know that... 8 Dutch Apaches are stationed at the US Army Base Fort Hood for training; The Apache demo aircraft is painted in a special colour scheme to honour the 100th Anniversary of Military Aviation in the Netherlands; The youngest member of the team, Boudewijn, is only 25 years old and is also a law student; In The Netherlands, training flights are flown with special training ammunition to familiarize the students with the exact weight on operational missions; You can meet the team at their information stand after the show; Hawk 01 is their call-sign during the flight; The Dutch Apache Demo Team is the only air display team that performs aerobatics with the Apache; The helmet of the Apache pilot is full of technical gadgets; Demo pilot Harm is also a test pilot and has been trained at the Empire Test Pilot s School and that he also flies the PC-7; The Apache combat helicopter is the only helicopter of the Royal Netherlands Air Force that can do a looping; You can also like the Royal Netherlands Air Force on facebook.com/luchtmacht. 15

16 16 Contact: Public Affairs Office Defence Helicopter Command * 0031(0) * dhc_svc@mindef.nl Postal address: RNLAF Apache Demo Team * Vliegbasis Gilze-Rijen * Postbus AA Rijen -NLD Find us on the web: * #Apachedemo* Facebook.com/Luchtmacht or Facebook.com/ApacheSoloDisplay For a career at the Royal Netherlands Air Force visit: Photos in the brochure: Audiovisual Agency Ministry of Defence, Dennis de Vos Translation: Netty Girwar, Royal Netherlands Air Force Translation Office