WILLEMSTAD - About 140 soldiers of the Royal Netherlands Army are currently on exercise in Curaçao. The unit will mainly carry out (shooting) exercises and cross-border activities.

The exercise called Caribbean Poacher will last from December 1 to 10. This week the acclimatization program started to get used to the different temperatures and humidity in Curaçao. The present soldiers are not part of the permanently present Company in the West of Defense in the Caribbean.

The unit mainly consists of scouts, they are the 'ears and eyes' of the commander. According to the Ministry of Defense, Curaçao is the perfect training location because of the rough nature reserve and the weather conditions. "Reconnaissance officers must be able to perform their task anywhere in the world, including in warm regions."