From 09-11 May 2023, the European Air Group (EAG) held the yearly Force Protection Seminar. This occasion was superbly hosted by The Netherlands at the Defence Helicopter Command at AB GILZE-RIJEN.
On Day 1 FP Subject Matter Experts from Belgium, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy, The Netherlands, Sweden and NATO AIRCOM
joined the forum to exchange information about their current FP AIR FP Capabilities.
On Day 2 the seminar participants visited the Defence CBRN Centre / National Training Centre. CBRN stands for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear. The NTC is located in VUGHT, a small town in the mid-south of The Netherlands. The aim of the NTC is to train civil and military homeland organizations in CBRN-related security tasks, both mono- and multi-disciplinary. Liaisons with civilian partners (police, fire department and medical services) are embedded. The need for joint training is one of the key objectives of the NTC. During the development of the Centre, the CBRN threat was analysed and a number of settings were selected for being the most likely location where a CBRN incident could occur. These settings include a chemical and biological laboratory, a hospital, a supermarket, a restaurant, a railway yard, illegal drugs laboratory, a collapsed building, a market square, a complete subway station and more. On Day 3 every participating nation gave a briefing about a nationally chosen FP topic. Discussions included each nation´s current FP situation and the desired way forward.
The seminar was again well received. Participants found the it very beneficial for information exchange, understanding each other’s current FP status, national developments and desired outcomes, creating mutual understanding and a strong FP network, strengthening existing cooperation and triggering future initiatives.
