HWIC at Gilze-Rijen
58 // OCTOBER 2018 #367 http://www.airforcesmonthly.comDeveloping skills
As the DHC’s operational squadrons
are continuously involved in a routine of
practising, working up and deploying, it’s
difficult for them to reach the ‘next level’ as
regards tactics and flying. This is where
specialists come in to increase quality,
expand knowledge and bring in new tactics,
techniques and procedures (TTP).
From its outset with the Apache in
1996, 301 Squadron aspired to createits own, in-house weapons instructor
training effort. However, due to a lack
of capacity, work on the first Dutch-
organised course did not begin until 2004.
Since HWIC was first run in 2005, the
course – of almost four months’ duration- has developed an intensity rivalled only
by its American and British equivalents. It
has gained international recognition for
its quality and the high standard of future
weapons instructors that it produces.
Design of the course has changed a number
of times since then. The first four HWICs were
continuous, with students following the entire
training syllabus non-stop. However, from 2011
the increasing number of foreign deployments
reduced participant numbers, and the course
adopted a modular structure. Participants
learned the essentials in module one. After
finishing this, the students further developed
their knowledge at squadron level under
the supervision of an experienced weapons
instructor, enabling them to meet the standards
of module two. After module two, the student
became a fully fledged weapons instructor. The
modular structure existed until 2015. However,
commitments at squadron level resulted in
the same difficulties: there weren’t enough
students to begin the module two course.
Therefore in 2016 it was decided to revert to
the original, continuous 15-week course.Selection process
This year’s course involved two Apache,
one Cougar and three Chinook pilots. All
participants were selected by their squadron
commanders. Aircrew had to meet a number
of criteria to qualify for HWIC. These included
being capable of acting as section leader,
day/night currency, and weapons systems
qualifications. Potential candidates also had
to show motivation and the drive to succeed.
Maj Martin continued: “You have to stand out
from your squadron buddies and be willing
to work hard as the course is not a typical
walk in the park – it requires a lot of effort
and determination to succeed. Therefore,
only the best pilots and loadmasters are
selected. HWIC starts where the basic
skills of a regular helicopter pilot stop.”
Together with participating pilots, five
loadmasters (one Cougar and four Chinook)
were chosen to take part, following their own
dedicated programme. They needed to meet
the same requirements for participation, but
additionally had to successfully complete
an aerial gunnery instructor course.
When it comes to flying and gunnery
techniques, pilots and loadmasters are
considered complementary and are addressed
equally, albeit with different training syllabuses.
The weapons course is tough and on average
15% of the participants will drop out early and
are not offered a second chance. Students
are assessed on subjects including safety,
instructional and supervisory skills, tactical
leadership and situational awareness.Right: Troops huddle for protection as CH-47D
D-102 conducts brown-out operations. Below:
An Apache pilot conducts his final checks before
starting up. This qualified weapons instructor wears
the TACTES badge on his left shoulder.Above: An AH-64D Apache shortly after take-off from runway 24 at Gilze-Rijen Air Base.
Below: A CH-47F(NL) Chinook loadmaster conducts final checks before the next mission during the
‘tactics’ phase of HWIC in early February.56-61 Chinooks AFM Oct2018.indd 58 9/10/2018 10:03:27 AM