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Royal Navy pilots rescue hostages during unique training with Dutch police
28 February 2025
Royal Navy pilots were involved in hostage rescues in the North Sea during boarding operations with Dutch allies as part of intensive mission training.
The Commando Helicopter Force’s 846 Naval Air Squadron took their Commando Merlin Mk4 helicopters to Schiphol International Airport to work with the Dutch Police Aviation Support Unit and the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps.
Their training culminated in two maritime interdictions – military parlance for boarding operations – missions to rescue hostages from a Dutch coastguard ship.
“Training with our NATO allies is always invaluable as we get to see a familiar challenge tackled in a different way,” said Lieutenant Commander David Houghton-Barnes of 846 NAS.
“Fast roping to a moving ship is a demanding task, and it was impressive to see everyone working together to safely interdict the target vessel.
“Most importantly, it reinforced our lasting friendships across the Channel so we can continue to learn from each other and collectively keep our sea lanes safe.”
The aviators worked together on planning and briefs for their hostage rescue at the Amsterdam international airport after making a two-and-a-half-hour flight from their home at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset.
The fliers then took to the skies loaded with assault troops.
Their target was the Dutch coastguard vessel, Barend Biesheuvel, which in the scenario had been taken over by hostile actors who had taken hostages.
The Merlins moved in with Dutch Police AW139 helicopters providing overwatch of the situation as assault troops fast roped from the Merlins onto the deck of the vessel to carry out the complex rescue.
The helicopters launched from Schiphol airport – a huge challenge in itself due to the volume of flights coming in and out on its six runways.
“Planning an aviation exercise from the world’s third busiest airport certainly has its challenges, but our Dutch colleagues facilitated everything to ensure that this training was a huge success,” added Lieutenant Andy Duffield of 846 NAS.