Crazy Trip was one of the major joint combined exercises organised by the Belgian Defence in 2008. It took largely place in the triangle between Florennes, Marche-en Famenne and Bertrix from 17 till 21 November. The main objective of the exercise was to train Belgian and Dutch Para Commando capabilities. Of the nearly 1,000 participating military, between 600 and 700 were combat troops in the field.

OBJECTIVES

 The exercise, directed by the Immediate Reaction Capability Command of the Regiment Para Commando (IRCC Rgt ParaCdo) at Evere and the Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) at Uedem, Germany, aimed at training the offensive capabilities of Belgian and Dutch Para Commando units (Belgian 1^st and 3^rd Para Battalions and 2^nd Commando Battalion) and units with Para Commando capabilities (Belgian Carabineers-Grenadiers Regiment and 13^th Infantry Battalion of the Dutch 11^th Airmobile Brigade). It moreover focused on operations on foot to simulate the projection of forces with limited transport capabilities or in difficult terrain. It was also an opportunity to test interoperability between combat and medical ground forces, combat aircraft and transport helicopters and aircraft in close air support, airborne assault and evacuation missions. The offensive capabilities were trained against opposing forces of the guerrilla and militia type, played by the Dutch Airmobile Brigade.

SCENARIO

 Rebel forces invaded the southern province of their northern neighbour with the intention to overthrow that country’s government. The presence and activities of the rebel forces caused an important flow northwards of refugees and internally displaced persons. To counter the escalating actions of these disrupting forces, the international community authorised deployment of rapid reaction forces, in this case provided by the European Union Force (EUFOR), to stabilise the area and to create a safe environment. At a moment when there were still only a limited number of EUFOR troops deployed to the area, it became obvious that the rebels planned an attack against the capital of their northern neighbour. As this would seriously hamper further deployment of EUFOR troops and pose a threat to the refugees and internally displaced persons, the Belgian Immediate Reaction Capability came into action.

 Para Commando infantry units and units with similar capabilities were deployed by airborne and assault landings to carry out raids against enemy targets such as bases, supplies and supply lines, communications centres and lines of communications as well as to evacuate non-combatants and wounded. Pathfinders and Special Forces were inserted for reconnaissance duties, to free hostages and to harass rebel forces.

 Lockheed C-130H Hercules transport aircraft supported the operation by dropping paratroopers, performing assault landings, supplying equipment and evacuating personnel. Agusta A.109BA Hirundo helicopters operated in the roles of fire support, transport, reconnaissance and evacuation. Lockheed Martin F-16AM Fighting Falcons were mainly brought into action to provide close air support of ground forces in cooperation with Forward Air Controllers (FAC).

The small Agusta A.109 Hirundo can evacuate not more than three or four persons at the same time, depending on the fuel load necessary to reach a safe area. It is, however, a suitable training asset to practice NEO procedures.

AIRBORNE EVACUATION

 One of the capabilities trained during Crazy Trip 2008 were non-combatant evacuation operations (NEO). Although Belgium has no sufficiently large helicopters to conduct such operations adequately until the arrival of the medium size NHIndustries NH90, the use of the small A.109BA Hirundo to practice NEO-procedures, coordination, communication and troop conduct will allow Belgian troops to participate in NEO missions using helicopters like CH-47s and CH-53s of their international allies.

A pasture on a slope is an ideal inconspicuous landing zone, unlooked-for by opposing forces.

 For airborne evacuations by helicopter, a safe landing zone has to be created by ground forces in order to protect the evacuees as well as the evacuating helicopters and their crews. If the ground forces have sufficient control of the terrain, they will deploy a strong, double security perimeter and the assembly of the evacuees and their extraction can proceed rather calmly. If this is not the case, the operation will have to take place rapidly and inconspicuously. Force protection is deployed discreetly to keep the location of the landing zone secret as long as possible. The location has to be selected carefully in order to avoid long range sniper fire. Upon arrival of the helicopters, the evacuation has to proceed as swiftly as possible so that opposing forces do not have time to organise a counter operation. Operating swiftly also allows the use of simple ground-to-air signals like smoke pots, signal flares, lights and brightly coloured panels. Communication between ground forces and helicopters can be established with normal, non-secure radios readily available in all airborne assets and with most ground based units.

 While two helicopters are picking up the evacuees two other A.109BAs armed with a pair of FN 7.62 mm MAG machineguns in the lateral sliding doors secure the landing zone from above.