Airplanes and airborne forces from 12 countries descended on Eindhoven Air Base in September for Falcon Leap, one of the largest airborne exercises in Europe. The Netherlands, as host nation, had spent a year organizing, preparing, and planning for the two-week integrated exercise, which featured a variety of transport aircraft and airborne troops.
The exercise was organized by a joint team from the Royal Netherlands Army’s 11th Airmobile Brigade and the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s 336 Squadron of the Air Mobility Command. It took place across a large portion of the country, with both low-altitude cargo and personnel drops.
This year’s focus was on the rapid deployment of units, the swift movement of forces over long distances, and integrated planning of the 11th Airmobile Brigade with the Air Mobility Command. The training enhanced the readiness of airborne units and their ability to operate effectively with international partners. Additionally, Falcon Leap provided an opportunity to gain experience with foreign parachute systems and radio communications, which is crucial for improving cooperation between multinational units.
Alongside Dutch Army paratroopers, participants included forces from Poland, Germany, France, Romania, Belgium, Italy, Greece, the United States, and Great Britain. Several nations also deployed transport aircraft for the Air-Land Integration (ALI) training, including Dutch C-130H, American C-130J, British and German A-400M, Greek C-27J and C-130, Polish, Portuguese, and Spanish C-295, and Romanian C-27J.
In the first week, only Dutch units from the 11th Airmobile Brigade participated, with 250 to 300 paratroopers involved. The second week expanded to include cooperation with foreign units. In the final phase of week two, approximately 1,000 soldiers conducted joint parachute jumps. Paratroopers from different nations had the opportunity to exchange national wings afterward—a military honor awarded for completing a specific jump successfully.
The final jumps took place at Ginkelse Heide near Ede, a historic site due to the airborne landings of Operation Market Garden in 1944, marking its 80th anniversary this year.
We'd like to thank the organization of Falcon Leap 2024 and the PAO at Eindhoven Air Base for supporting us in covering this event and providing excellent access.
Photo report by Roger Kemp. Additional photos by Leonard van den Broek and Roel Reijne.
