The first three of five Apache attack helicopters have returned home from Afghanistan, where they have been deployed for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). An Antonov 124 transport plane delivered the aircraft on Thursday 25th November at the Defence Helicopter Command at Gilze-Rijen Airbase in the Netherlands. The remaining two will follow on 2nd December, and will be the final conclusion to six years providing combat support to ISAF ground troops.

Since 2004, the attack helicopters have been almost continuously deployed in the Asian country, initially with six Apaches based at Kabul. After returning one to the Netherlands, the remaining five moved for a few months to Kandahar Airfield and then to Tarin Kowt in Uruzgan. Over the time in Afghanistan, these Dutch attack helicopters have completed over 9,100 flight hours. Working in Afghanistan “has a heavy toll on our staff, but the atmosphere has always remained good and the commitment has always been as high,” said Major Ship Pier Molder, Deputy Commander 301 Squadron.