Military exercise brings increased aircraft activity to Enschede and Twente Airport
Residents of Enschede may experience increased noise and military aircraft activity from March 23 to April 3, 2026, as the Royal Netherlands Air Force conducts Exercise Orange Bull. The training involves tactical landings and airdrops, with flights scheduled during specific daytime and evening hours.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Exercise Name | Orange Bull |
| Duration | March 23 – April 3, 2026 |
| Primary Aircraft | C-130 Hercules transport aircraft |
| Main Activities | Tactical landings, cargo and paratrooper airdrops |
| Affected Locations | Enschede (Twente Airport), Groningen, Friesland, Belgium, Eindhoven |
| Flight Times | Mon-Thu: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM, 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM; Fri: 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Noise Complaints | Report via luchtmacht.nl/geluidshinder |
| Organizer | Air Mobility Command (Ministry of Defence) |
The Ministry of Defence organizes exercises like Orange Bull to ensure the Royal Netherlands Air Force remains prepared for missions involving air transport, airdrops of supplies, or military personnel. These exercises are critical for maintaining operational readiness in both national and international contexts, such as humanitarian aid missions.
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Exercise ‘Orange Bull’: Military flights over Enschede and use of Twente Airport
From Monday, March 23 to Friday, April 3, 2026, the military exercise Orange Bull will take place.
During this exercise, Royal Netherlands Air Force transport aircraft will also use Twente Airport. As a result, residents of Enschede may hear or see more military aircraft movements than usual during this period.
What exactly will happen?
- The Air Force will train with C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.
- They will practice tactical landings and the airdropping of cargo and paratroopers.
- While most flights will take place over locations in Groningen, Friesland, and Belgium, some aircraft will depart from Eindhoven and use Twente Airport as an additional location.
Flight times
The aircraft will fly at fixed times:
- Monday to Thursday
- 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Fridays
- 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
- 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Note: The airdropping of cargo or paratroopers depends on the weather. Flight times or locations may therefore be adjusted shortly in advance.
Why is this exercise taking place?
The Air Mobility Command (Ministry of Defence) conducts this training to remain well-prepared for missions requiring air transport and the airdropping of aid supplies or military personnel. Recent examples include humanitarian airdrops, such as those over Gaza.
Inconvenience for residents
The Ministry of Defence aims to minimize disruption to the surrounding area, but noise pollution during the exercise cannot be completely ruled out.
- Reports of noise can be submitted via: www.luchtmacht.nl/geluidshinder