Dutch military conducts major air mobility exercise across the Netherlands and Belgium
From March 23 to April 5, the Dutch Air Mobility Command will conduct tactical landings and airdrops in Groningen, Friesland, and Belgium. Residents may experience noise as C-130 Hercules aircraft train for critical missions, including humanitarian aid delivery.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Exercise Name | Orange Bull |
| Duration | March 23 – April 5, 2026 |
| Locations | Groningen, Friesland (Netherlands), Belgium |
| Aircraft Involved | 2 C-130 Hercules transport aircraft |
| Operating Air Base | Eindhoven Air Base (primary), Twente Airport (secondary) |
| Flight Times | Daily: 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 |
| Participating Units | 11 Airmobile Brigade, Netherlands Special Operations Command, Marine Corps |
| Noise Complaints | Submit here |
| Flight Movement Info | View here |
The Air Mobility Command, part of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, is responsible for air transport operations, including tactical landings and airdrops. These exercises ensure the military remains prepared for missions such as humanitarian aid delivery and rapid deployment of troops.
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Air Mobility Command conducts tactical landings and airdrops during Orange Bull exercise
From Monday, March 23 to Friday, April 5, 2026, the Orange Bull exercise will take place at Eindhoven Air Base. During these two weeks, training will focus on tactical landings and the airdropping of cargo and paratroopers over various locations in Groningen, Friesland, and Belgium. Two C-130 Hercules transport aircraft from 336 Squadron of the Air Mobility Command will provide air transport. Airdropping cargo is a key task of the Air Mobility Command. A recent example is the airdropping of humanitarian aid over Gaza. Exercises like Orange Bull are essential to ensure such missions can be carried out in the future.
Exercises from Eindhoven Air Base
Throughout this exercise, integration and cooperation with partners are central. The exercise is organized with support from units of other armed forces branches, including the 11 Airmobile Brigade, the Netherlands Special Operations Command, and the Netherlands Marine Corps, as well as the Defence Parachute School. Units of the Royal Netherlands Air Force also support Orange Bull, such as the Air Mobile Protection Team (AMPT), the Operational Healthcare Service (OGZ), and units of the Air Mobility Command at Eindhoven Air Base.
All aircraft will depart from and return to Eindhoven Air Base. Twente Airport will also be used during the exercise. During flights to the training locations, the aircraft will operate at standard minimum flight altitudes. Flights will take place daily from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM and from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM. On Fridays, flights will be conducted from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM and from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
The airdropping of paratroopers or cargo depends on weather conditions. For this reason, a location may be changed at the last moment or a flight may be canceled. To avoid congestion at a location, exact times and locations will not be announced in advance.
Military exercises are carefully prepared. This is essential for the units involved, but also to minimize disruption to the surrounding areas of the training locations. It is possible that some inconvenience may still be experienced during the exercise. Any complaints can be submitted via the noise complaint form on www.luchtmacht.nl/geluidshinder. For more information on flight movements, see www.luchtmacht.nl/vliegbewegingen.