Dutch helicopters spotted flying off coast of Cornwall

This is the first time the Dutch have been back since the pandemic began. Credit: Bob Sharples

Aircrew from the Royal Netherlands Navy have been spotted flying around the coast of Cornwall on training exercises for the past two weeks.

The crews and their two NH90 anti-submarine warfare helicopters, along with their associated groundcrew, have been the guests of the Royal Navy at RNAS Culdrose at Helston.

The Dutch regularly come over to train from the air station although this is the first time they have been back since the coronavirus pandemic began.

Lieutenant Commander Friso Feenstra, the detachment commander, said the crews use the deep waters off the Cornish coast to hone their sub-hunting skill set, and have worked alongside HMS Portland and a German Navy Corvette FGS Erfurt.

They also made use of the rugged and scenic coastline for confined area landing and winching practice, as well as night-flying training in the dark skies over the Lizard Peninsula.

They made use of the rugged and scenic coastline for confined area landing. Credit: Bob Sharples

A spokesperson for RNAS Culdrose said: “As the home of the UK’s anti-submarine warfare helicopter fleet, it’s great to be working alongside our NATO allies who specialise in the same operations. It’s especially good to welcome the Royal Netherlands Navy back here at Culdrose.”

The group is from 7(NL) Squadron and 860 (NL) Squadron and are normally based at De Kooy Den-Helder Air Station.