In previous years, the annual 'Market Garden' parachute airdrop was held in September at the Ginkelse Heide near Arnhem, in the Netherlands. Due to the Corona/Covid epidemic, this exercise has been adapted to the current time. This exercise is divided into two parts, called 'Falcon Leap'.
Falcon Leap, part 1; from September 7 until 11
Part 1 of this exercise consisted of the dropping of cargo from various military transport aircraft above Deelen and Oldebroek training areas. Due to Corona/Covid, it was not possible to attend the cargo drop off the aircraft. It was planned to fly a mission over the training areas 3 times a day. For this exercise, an American C-130 and a French C-130 had flown to Eindhoven Air Base (ICAO: EHEH) at the beginning of the week to practice together with C-130 Hercules aircraft of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. But due to bad weather, no missions were flown in the first days of the week, causing the American C-130 to return prematurely. The French C-130 left for France on Friday 11 September, after having flown several missions with the Dutch Hercules aircraft.
Falcon Leap, part 2; from September 14 until 18
Part 2 of this exercise consists of dropping paratroopers from various military transport aircraft above training areas where no spectators are allowed. These practice areas include Renkum, Deelen and the Ginkelse Hei; all areas around the city of Arnhem. For this 2nd part of the Falcon Leap exercise, transport aircraft from the Netherlands, Belgium, United States, France and Germany are expected to participate.
Overflight Eindhoven, September 18
On September 18th, 1944 the city of Eindhoven was liberated by the Allied troops. Every year on September 18 there is a commemoration in Eindhoven, where one or more C-130s of the Royal Netherlands Air Force fly above the city at 20:00. Also this year there will be a unique “Fly By” with a number of military aircraft taking place above Eindhoven. The “Fly By” coordinated by the European Air Transport Command (EATC), with its headquarters in Eindhoven, will be on display in a large part of Eindhoven.
This is a subscription only section
Want to read more? It's only €10/year.
No account yet? Just Create an account first and head to the shop