Airforces

Below: An RNLAF AH-64D Apache receives

new ammunition for its 30mm Chain Gun

at the forward arming and refuelling

point (FARP).

HWIC at Gilze-Rijen

60 // OCTOBER 2018 #367 http://www.airforcesmonthly.com

This year, two participants dropped out after

the first phase. The main stumbling block

was the subject of ‘situational awareness’.

Aircrew find this especially hard because of

the difficult training conditions and the huge

amount of information that has to be processed

instantaneously. Nine participants (including

a Chinook pilot and Cougar loadmaster from

a previous modular course) successfully

completed HWIC and received the well-

deserved graduation badge from RNLAF

commander Lt Gen Dennis Luyt on April 25.

Crews that have graduated as a helicopter

weapons instructor are held in high regard

by their fellow squadron members. They

return to their units and serve as tactical

experts for aircrews during training and

operational missions. They share their newly

acquired knowledge proactively and lead by

example, increasing tactical awareness and

expertise within the entire DHC community.

The aim of HWIC is to provide enough

weapons instructors for all flights within the

different squadrons: Apache and Chinook

squadrons comprise five flights each

while the Cougar squadron has three.

In order to maintain their own proficiency,

HWIC-certified weapons instructors conduct

an annual Weapons Instructor Standardisation

week, organised by TACTES. Here, participants

learn and practise current and new TTPs. A

weapons instructor will remain current as long as

he/she is still assigned to the weapon system.

HWIC syllabus

Despite the name of the course, crews are not

only trained in knowledge of their weapons,

but above all in the tactical operation of their

equipment in a complex environment. The

Dutch have acquired plenty of experience

in hostile theatres such as Afghanistan and

Mali and the course syllabus incorporates the

latest knowledge from frontline squadrons.

The HWIC course covered a broad spectrum:

tactical flying, attack techniques, support

for ground troops and support for special

forces. The participants received academic

and flight training in a ‘pressure cooker’

environment. All three flying phases started

with two weeks of academics, in which the

participants attended lectures from different

defence specialists and guest speakers

on subjects including the electromagnetic

spectrum, ballistics and collateral damage.

The course focused primarily on the

development of the helicopter crews’ relevant

experience and knowledge, their teamwork

and integration of different types with ground

assets. It also involved different ground units

and offered an opportunity to work together

intensively. This kind of close co-operation

between land and air forces is vital, as proven

multiple times in Afghanistan, for example.

Modules one and two

The HWIC course started at Gilze-Rijen

with a basic academic phase of four weeks,

where candidates were introduced to the

instruction techniques, student briefings

and weapons instruction. This was followed

immediately by academics for the first

flying phase – evasive manoeuvring (EVM)

including air combat manoeuvring (ACM).

For the phase one flying component, course

participants moved to the former air base of

Deelen. Here the DHC practised out-of-area

missions, living and working from tents and

containers for three weeks. The participants

were given a number of tasks during day and

night operations, including evasion of attacks by

fighter aircraft, of small and medium arms fire,

of missile threats and evasion of ground and

airborne radar systems. American, British and

Dutch radar systems attempted to target the

helicopters. The systems were located in the

less populated northeast part of the Netherlands

to avoid noise issues, as the helicopters had to

fly extremely low to avoid acquisition. Evasive

missions were also flown against F-16s and

L-39s from Dutch contractor Skyline Aviation.

For the second phase, focusing on weapons

systems, HWIC participants again deployed

after an academic programme. The NATO

military training area of Bergen-Hohne in

northern Germany was the exercise setting for

two weeks. Missions flown during the course

were integrated with ground forces from the

Above: The NATO military training area at Bergen-

Hohne is ideal for AH-64 crews to practise firing

the 30mm gun and unguided rockets. Hellfire

missiles were not used during HWIC.

56-61 Chinooks AFM Oct2018.indd 60 9/10/2018 10:03:46 AM