Possible detachment of Dutch Air Force Helicopters in Mali??

[Arjan]

Currently there are 15 scouts exploring the possibilities for a Dutch participation in Mali.
One of the options there are looking for is the possible deployment of a 60 man helicopter detachment?
No info on what kind of helicopters though.

[Hurricane]

According the Air Force text in Dutch only no word is mentioned about a helicopter deployment. So my first clue would be a staff only mission.

IF we decide to send helicopters it would be a AS532U2 or CH-47D with the side note that the Cougar would be less likely due to the two Cougars deployed with HNLMS de Witt and two are on stand-by for bambi bucket operations. That's 50% of the active fleet 'used' however we'll see what happens.

[marcelburger]

Sending helicopters can always be considered too risky. The scouts and Dutch military leadership might just decide to send transport aircraft instead, like they did earlier when supporting French troops. Fixed-wing transports might have less risk and a possible Dutch Herc deployment could share some resources and experiences with the Swedes, who are preparing a single C-130 to be send to the Mali capital of Bamako. (More about the Swedish Herc here: http://airheadsfly.com/2013/09/03/swede ... -for-mali/ )

[Hurricane]

Sending helicopters can always be considered too risky. The scouts and Dutch military leadership might just decide to send transport aircraft instead, like they did earlier when supporting French troops. Fixed-wing transports might have less risk and a possible Dutch Herc deployment could share some resources and experiences with the Swedes, who are preparing a single C-130 to be send to the Mali capital of Bamako. (More about the Swedish Herc here: http://airheadsfly.com/2013/09/03/swede ... -for-mali/ )

That is an interesting idea and it remains possible to send a C-130. Only point of interest would be why we, as Dutch MoD, would get involved as for instance the Belgian Air Force ended their A109/C-130H deployments as France applied their services would no longer be needed (ground forces remained, operating with Spanish command).

[marcelburger]

Sweden just cancelled its C-130 to Mali! The airstrips in the north are ,,unfit'' according to the Swedish defence minister. The move is fairly remarkable as the TP 84 and 70 personnel were planned to be operational in less than two weeks from now (October 1, 2013). A few more details here: http://airheadsfly.com/2013/09/14/swede ... ali-c-130/

[Stratofreighter]

According to http://www.rtlnieuws.nl/nieuws/politiek ... echtmissie
the Dutch kabinet will discuss -and perhaps also decide about- a possible Dutch military expedition in Mali.

The detachment of four AH-64D Apaches has been mooted.

Google-translation?
http://translate.google.com/translate?s ... echtmissie