For the first time, Danish F-35 fighter jets have arrived in the Netherlands, landing at Leeuwarden Air Base to take part in the NATO Weapons Instructor Course (WIC). The deployment marks a milestone in Danish-Dutch defense cooperation, which previously saw joint operations with F-16s.
The six-month course brings together 25 military personnel from Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway. Participants include pilots, as well as officers and non-commissioned officers from other operational branches, all training to become top-level tactical leaders.
Last week, Dutch F-35 pilots conducted training with their Scandinavian counterparts in Dutch airspace, with Danish support including the dropping of training targets from a C-130 transport aircraft. This allowed Dutch pilots to practice procedures and deployment.
The WIC program is conducted by the 323rd Air Combat Development Center’s Weapons School at Leeuwarden Air Base, which serves as a European center of knowledge for tactical operations. The training emphasizes effective interaction between different weapon systems and operational services, boosting NATO’s strike power and combat readiness.
Article source: sclistok.com | Image credit: F35.com
