Chinook helicopter training in Berg en Dal: what residents and farmers need to know
On 24 March, a Chinook helicopter from the Defence Helicopter Command will conduct off-site landing training near Groesbeek. Residents may experience noise, while farmers are advised to protect livestock from potential stress caused by low-flying movements.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday, 24 March 2026 |
| Time | Afternoon |
| Location | Around Groesbeek, municipality of Berg en Dal |
| Type of Training | Off-site landings (5 landings at non-military sites) |
| Aircraft | Chinook transport helicopter |
| Activities | Deployment/retrieval of units, sling load (external cargo) training |
| Noise Mitigation | Avoiding built-up areas, minimizing flight altitude to reduce noise nuisance |
| Livestock Advice | Keep animals indoors, use radio to mask noise, group young livestock |
| Flight Information | Routes and altitudes available on Defence.nl |
| Complaints | Report noise nuisance via online form |
The Ministry of Defence is responsible for maintaining the operational readiness of military personnel and equipment, including helicopter units. This training exercise is part of their mandate to ensure the Royal Netherlands Air Force remains prepared for missions, both domestically and internationally.
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Helicopter exercise on 24 March
Message from the Ministry of Defence:
On Tuesday afternoon, 24 March, the crew of a Chinook transport helicopter from the Defence Helicopter Command will conduct training in the municipality of Berg en Dal.
Off-site landing
On the aforementioned date, the crew will train in making five 'off-site landings' around Groesbeek. An off-site landing is a landing at a non-military landing site. This training is required for the education and readiness of our personnel. During this exercise, units will be deployed and retrieved. In addition, a large cargo will be attached under the fuselage; such an external load is called a sling load.
Flight times and area
The training will take place within the following times: Tuesday afternoon, 24 March, around Groesbeek.
During the exercise, areas with contiguous buildings, industrial and port areas, and gatherings of people will be avoided as much as possible. Approach routes and altitudes, as well as training locations, will be chosen in such a way that noise nuisance is kept to a minimum.
Advice for farmers
Previous exercises have shown that (young) livestock can be startled by sudden low-flying movements. Do you have horses, sheep or other (sensitive) livestock?
Advice from the Ministry of Defence:
- Keep animals indoors or in a sheltered pasture where possible.
- Turn on a radio in the barn to mask sudden noises.
- Ensure that young livestock are not left alone but kept in a group to reduce stress.
- Discuss precautionary measures with neighbours or fellow livestock farmers.
If desired, coordinate additional measures with your veterinarian.
Information and reporting of flight movements
The Ministry of Defence prepares military exercises carefully, including military flights. This is essential for all flying units of the Royal Air Force, but also for the areas in which the Ministry of Defence trains. We spread flight movements as much as possible across the various training areas in the Netherlands. All low-flying routes and areas used by the Ministry of Defence can be found on this page.
In addition, we participate in exercises abroad to export the noise in order to reduce the nuisance for the living environment. Operational and climatic conditions may cause exercises to proceed differently than announced in advance.
We are aware that flight movements can cause nuisance. On the Ministry of Defence website, this can be reported via the online complaints form.
On luchtmacht.nl/vliegbewegingen, you can read more information about flight movements and exercises.
The operational information, such as exact times and locations, is not disclosed in advance by the DHC. Just before the exercise, we will post an X message indicating that we will be flying in the area. You are free to share this X message on your municipal X account. Follow us for up-to-date information, including flight movements related to helicopters, also via X: @dhcluchtmacht and @Kon_Luchtmacht.
End of message from the Ministry of Defence