Royal Netherlands Navy NH-90 Hovering at Curaçao Airport
Royal Netherlands Navy 860 Squadron NH-90, serial N-088, based at Naval Air Station De Kooy, hovers over taxiway Alpha at Curacao International Airport.
A brief but interesting catch at Curaçao International Airport—a Royal Netherlands Navy NH-90 from 860 Squadron hovering low over the taxiway, likely conducting a maintenance or systems check.
I came across the helicopter while out photographing other traffic, and its precise, controlled hover made for a great opportunity to capture something a little different from the usual fixed-wing action.
860 Squadron’s NH-90 serial N-088 is currently deployed to Curacao and likely supports the Holland-class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) HNLMS Friesland also operating in the region.
N-088 turns while in the hover, as if to grab the best seat in the house for spotting Global X taking off!
860 Squadron was formed on June 15th, 1943 in Scotland, flying the Fairey Swordfish torpedo bomber as part of the British Royal Navy’s fleet Air Arm. With the end of World War II, the unit was transferred to Dutch control in 1946 flying a variety of fixed-wing aircraft until it was disbanded in 1964. Returning to the order of battle in 1966 as a helicopter unit initially equipped with the Westland Wasp, it was transferred to the Defence Helicopter Command in 2008 and transitioned to the NH-90 in 2012.
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