Op de oprichtingsdag van de (counter)drone eenheden bij de Koninklijke Landmacht, sprak ik met Joland Dubbeldam, commandant task Force Drones, en CDS Onno Eichelsheim over de taken en uitdagingen. Lees het artikel hier: https://t.co/Lbinduct6W
Om onze paraatheid te versterken, investeert @Defensie in een Casualty Staging Unit.
De CSU is binnen 72 uur inzetbaar en biedt opvang aan tientallen gewonden. Een belangrijke schakel rond 2030 voor een volledige medische keten.
https://t.co/u5oxdvMNRM
Long ramble:
I have been mulling if I should comment on President Trump's inane comments about NATO involvement in Afghanistan. Although 35 years ago, during the US-led first Gulf War, I was lying, handcuffed & blindfolded - literally 'shoulder to shoulder' - with a US colleague on a concrete floor in an Iraqi interrogation bunker, I rather feel it should be the current generation who express any anger at the President's ludicrous, demonstrably false utterings. Which is why I earlier shared some posts from others.
But perhaps I will reflect like this - I watched Trump's press conference in the wake of the terrible tragedy when a US helicopter collided with a civilian airliner last January in disbelief. 64 people lost their lives but it seemed to be about him - his expertise, his knowledge, what he thought had happened. Much of what he said was incorrect.
So I realised back then that it was going to be pointless trying to analyse any upcoming word-salads. Everything is clearly about him; his expertise in every subject, his grasp of all situations. His need to say something, anything, to show he is the best, the cleverest, the smartest, the most knowledgeable kid on the block.
The pub-bore, the braggart, the know-it-all, pontificates on anything and everything in the hope of bolstering their own, clearly very low, self-esteem.
I wonder that, in the President's mind, that it doesn't matter if what he says is factually correct? I wonder if he knows, understands, even cares, what is true? He is saying some words, which in his mind, seems to suggest that he's important and people will admire him, laud him. The fact that everyone around him then applauds this character trait, thanking him for his 'leadership' at every turn, just amplifies his desire, his need to continue. He's got want he wants - in his mind - attention, praise, admiration.
So to sum up, trying to analyse Trump's ramblings is like trying to play chess with a pigeon. Somewhat interesting at first, but ultimately, truly pointless and rather frustrating.
To those he has hurt, insulted, vilified, I send you my deepest condolences for your loss, and gratitude for your service.
I don’t think the US president will read this post, but I feel obliged to pay tribute to the dozens of Netherlands soldiers who have died in Afghanistan. Even the son of our Chief of Defense was killed in action. Because the Netherlands saw it as its duty to help an ally. Statement after statement is now flying our way across the pond. The falsehood that we were not on the front line calls for a response. As dear as the Americans are to me, nonsense must be countered.
Fifteen years after we made the first articles about the then new pathfinder unit, we now have an update on the Dutch pathfinders. Read it here, with images and videos: https://t.co/yaZFZf3qng
Kort verslag over de meest interessante bedrijven waar ik gesprekken mee heb gevoerd tijdens NEDS 2025, georganiseerd door de NIDV - Nederlandse Industrie voor Defensie en Veiligheid.
Lees het hier: https://t.co/xd8S72Vye8
What is Combat Mindset. Former major of the Dutch marines Geert van Oosterhout was an exchange officer with the Unites States Marine Corps (@USMC). He explains the difference between the US and Dutch approach. Read the interview here: https://t.co/srjdKgvzt9
Defensie versterkt de maritieme slagkracht met Tomahawk-kruisvluchtwapens voor op de luchtverdedigings- en commandofregatten (LC-fregatten) van @kon_marine. Nieuwe onderzeeboten van de Orka-klasse krijgen een Europees wapensysteem.
Lees hier meer: https://t.co/uBuaD6EEcw
Landmacht en Korps Mariniers trainen zij aan zij in de Noorse sneeuw. Voor het eerst oefende een gecombineerd 120mm mortierpeloton van @11Luchtmobiel ‘out of area’. ❄️🔥
Lees meer over de oefening via: https://t.co/UNernjlFmb
Je verbergen op het moderne slagveld is niet eenvoudig. Wij bekijken de multispectrale camouflage van Saab Barracuda.
Saab #camouflage#saabbarracuda
Lees er hier alles over: https://t.co/oMnack8MYB