WILLEMSTAD - On Tuesday, December 19, the 12th Infantry Battalion of the airmobile brigade will hold a special assembly to mark their new status as a Rapid Reaction Company and the awarding of the skill emblem 'Ranger' by the Commander of the Land Forces.
This development is a direct result of the Dutch Defense Memorandum 2022, which focuses on strengthening the Dutch armed forces to respond quickly to unpredictable threats, deteriorating security situations, and sudden disasters.
As part of the measures, two so-called Rapid Reaction Companies are to be continuously on standby: one with the Marine Corps and one with the airmobile brigade. Another measure is the transformation of the 12th Infantry Battalion Airmobile into a Ranger battalion. This unit is also assigned the Rapid Reaction Company task.
Rapid Reaction Company
This is a versatile, high-quality, light infantry unit of approximately 130 soldiers that can be quickly deployed. Deployment can take place with helicopters, aircraft, and light vehicles. The 12th Infantry Battalion will assume this task from January.
The unit is ready to be deployed for tasks such as Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO), First Crisis Response, and Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR).
Ranger Battalion
With the Ranger concept, the army adds a new capability to its 'toolbox'. The capabilities of a Ranger unit lie between those of special forces, such as the Korps Commandotroepen (KCT), and conventional units, such as the airmobile brigade. A Ranger unit is therefore very suitable for supporting special operations.
The battalion is awarded the skill emblem because it has demonstrated mastery of the tasks of a Ranger unit. Over the past year, the unit has undergone additional training and received equipment.
They have increased marksmanship, trained jointly with the KCT, and acquired new vehicles and specific communication equipment. With this, the unit is ready for the tasks associated with a Ranger unit. These tasks include:
Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO)
During a NEO, Dutch citizens and other eligible individuals are evacuated from another country due to a deteriorating security situation. Ranger and other airmobile units, specializing in deployment with helicopters, aircraft, and parachutes, are highly suitable for NEOs, as evacuation operations are often conducted predominantly by air in areas that are difficult to access on the ground.
First Crisis Response
First Crisis Response is comprehensive and is carried out under various threat levels from high to low on the violence spectrum. This may involve a rapid armed military deployment or supporting local authorities. The company can be quickly deployed to act and mitigate the impact of the crisis.
Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR)
When civilian aid organizations cannot reach or lack sufficient capacity on-site, a rapidly deployable Ranger unit is ideally suited to provide (humanitarian) emergency aid in crisis and disaster areas. Personnel with relief supplies are dropped by planes, helicopters, or parachutes, even in areas that are difficult to access by land or sea. In addition to delivering relief supplies, the unit provides initial emergency assistance and supports and advises local authorities in crisis management.
The collaboration between the 11th Airmobile Brigade and the KCT is being intensified and strengthened. For this purpose, the Ranger battalion has been specifically trained, practiced, and equipped. Special operations include supporting the KCT in performing foreseeable special operations, independently conducting special operations, temporarily occupying or denying areas, providing specialists, and delivering kinetic firepower, such as a quick reaction force.
Air Assault Operations
The Ranger battalion remains capable of performing general operational tasks associated with the 11th Airmobile Brigade. Together with the helicopter squadrons of the Defense Helicopter Command, they can operate as an integrated Air Assault unit. This allows them to operate in depth, from the air and on the ground, with helicopter units, on foot, and with tactical vehicles.