The 301 Squadron of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, based at Gilze- Rijen is equipped with the AH-64D Apache. The unit is capable to operate in every conflict, from small scale conflicts until full scale war.

The capability of delivering firepower with the Apache will not mean that it is always used as such. The unit plays and have played an important role in peace keeping and humanitarian missions. In that type of operations the Apache is merely used as a show of force, most of the time sufficient to retain order in the area of operations.

The squadron has three main roles:

• armed attack
• armed reconnaissance
• security and escort flights

For the missions of the 301st it is priority that the are executed in combined operations with the 11th Air Mobile Brigade of the Royal Army. Many exercises are being held with 11th AMB to maintain a high level of readiness.

Next to working in close cooperation with the Air Mobile Brigade the squadron also has to be capable to operate in international UN or NATO coalitions. The squadron has been involved in operations in Croatia, Iraq and in Afghanistan.
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