Dutch AH-64D Apache deployed to Frosinone

Three AH-64D Apache (Q-17, Q-18 and Q-22), belonging to the 301 Sqn of the KLU (Koninklijke Luchtmacht), the Netherlands Air Force, deployed to Frosinone airbase, home of the 72° Stormo of the Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force), between Mar. 31 and Apr. 9, to perform training activities in mountain. The helicopters (c/s “Bat”) had departed from Gilze Rijen on Mar. 30 where they returned on Apr. 10. In accordance with a MoU (Memorandum Of Understanding) signed in 2003, Dutch helicopters (AH-64D, CH-47 and Cougar) periodically deploy to Frosinone to train in the mountainous areas located around the Italian airport, in tactical low level flights needed keep the currencies required to be employed in Afghanistan. When deployed to Frosinone, the Dutch detachment is autonomous; the 72° Stormo provides only the logistic support (food, fire-fighting and ATC services, and Force Protection).

On Apr. 7, Giovanni Maduli went to Frosinone and took the following interesting pictures of the 301 Sqn Apaches.



About David Cenciotti
David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.