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FORT HOOD, Texas -- For nearly three decades, troops from the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) and Royal Netherlands Army (RNLA) have trained at Fort Hood, forging a strong bond with the Central Texas community. That relationship continues to grow, most recently expanding into Fort Hood’s north side.
The training is overseen by the 302nd Dutch Squadron, RNLAF, a permanent unit based at West Fort Hood and supported by U.S. Army civilians and contractors. Dutch air crews come to Fort Hood to complete mission qualification training on AH-64 Apache and CH-47 Chinook helicopters, while RNLA ground forces participate in combined-arms exercises alongside them. Known as "American Falcon," the joint training events occur quarterly, while mission qualification training is held twice a year.
The most recent iteration of American Falcon brought the RNLA’s 11th Air Maneuver Brigade to Fort Hood for intensive exercises with Dutch air crews. However, ongoing renovations at the West Fort Hood barracks disrupted standard housing arrangements, requiring ground troops to be temporarily relocated to North Fort Hood, adding a 45- to 60-minute commute to the 302nd Dutch Sqdn. headquarters.
Despite the logistical challenges, Dutch leadership has embraced the opportunity to build stronger relationships in their new surroundings.
“They’re putting a bit of a second footprint up there,” said Bob Frazier, senior human resources specialist, international military student officer at 302nd Dutch Sqdn. “They’re being accepted, and it is amazing.”
Frazier noted the squadron had been planning for this potential move for nearly two years. Now that it’s underway, he praised their adaptability.
“I think it speaks volumes to how flexible, prepared and professionally agile they are,” he said. “We were concerned about the move, but it’s happening — it’s coming to fruition.”
Lt. Col. Wilko de Waard, 302nd Dutch Sqdn. commander, and Sgt. Maj. Frank Mulder, senior-enlisted advisor, 302nd Dutch Sqdn., lead the Dutch efforts with what they call the “Dutch approach” — a personal, face-to-face style of leadership focused on collaboration and proactive problem-solving.
“We started learning by doing,” de Waard said. “We don’t sit back and wait for the perfect solution — we act and manage expectations along the way.”
That approach includes frequent after-action reviews to evaluate sustainability, logistics and communication, with adjustments made as needed.
“And still, we need to be flexible,” de Waard added, noting North Fort Hood also hosts mobilizing U.S. troops. “We never know exactly what’s going to happen here, so we have to stay adaptable.”
Mulder emphasized the importance of relationship-building, calling it essential to success.
“Go to the office, bring coffee, drink coffee and talk through options and solutions,” he said. “That’s the Dutch approach.”
The Dutch squadron commander agreed, saying taking time to meet with partners at North Fort Hood personally builds trust and opens doors.
“By just showing up, in person, I think the Dutch approach makes things happen,” de Waard said. “There’s a lot of understanding that, right away, you don’t have to send 10 emails on one subject, it’s a five-minute talk.
| Date Taken: | 07.28.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 08.22.2025 17:00 |
| Story ID: | 544424 |
| Location: | TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 14 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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