Dutch and British helicopter crews have completed a period of intensive flying over Salisbury Plain as they prepare for combined operations on NATO’s northern flank next year.
The training saw aviators from the Commando Helicopter Force and the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s 860 Squadron fly from Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, building on four years of joint exercises ahead of a major Arctic deployment in 2026. According to the UK military, the sortie-heavy package formed the latest iteration of Guardian Defender, a series designed to deepen interoperability.
Lieutenant Commander Peter Straker, Warfare Officer at 845 Naval Air Squadron, said the work-up was sharpening the combined force. “Guardian Defender continues to strengthen and deepen interoperability between UK and Netherlands aviation, ground, and other elements within the strategic framework of the UK Netherlands Amphibious partnership,” he said. “The training provides a realistic and demanding environment that enables participating aircrew, engineers, and support personnel to refine tactics, techniques, and procedures essential to joint amphibious operations.”
The exercise brought together Commando Merlin and Commando Wildcat helicopters with Dutch NH-90s, enabling crews to share tactics, knowledge and operational procedures. Mobile Air Operations Teams and the Military Training Unit were also involved, with aircraft rehearsing casualty extraction, detainee handling and other frontline scenarios.
Guardian Defender draws on more than half a century of Anglo-Dutch cooperation under the UK Netherlands Amphibious Force, one of NATO’s longest-standing integrated formations. The partnership dates back to 1973 and builds on wartime links, including the original 860 Naval Air Squadron, which served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War before returning to Dutch control in 1946.
This year’s exercise was organised by the modern 860 Squadron and involved 846, 845 and 847 Naval Air Squadrons. It forms part of the wider preparation for Cold Response 2026, a major NATO Arctic exercise expected to bring together around 25,000 personnel, aircraft and ships across northern Norway.
The Commando Helicopter Force also recently embarked Merlin aircraft on the Royal Netherlands Navy amphibious ship HNLMS Johan de Witt for further joint training off the UK and French coasts.
