Exercise Falcon Leap 25 September 2024

British paratroopers have joined forces with their NATO allies in the Netherlands to build their skills while paying tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of airborne soldiers in the Second World War.

Exercise Falcon Leap saw 92 paratroopers from Colchester-based 16 Air Assault Brigade training with airborne colleagues from Greece, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Germany, and the USA to parachute together, culminating in a mass drop to mark the 80th anniversary of Operation Market Garden.

First held in 2015, the annual exercise was led by the 11th Airmobile Brigade of the Royal Netherlands Army. The international exercise sees troops work together to plan and execute large scale parachute operations.

The first week focused on the logistical aspect of airborne operations which included troops working with their NATO allies preparing cargo loads for airdrops.

During the second week, the NATO paratroopers jumped into historic drop zones around the town of Arnhem. It included static line jumps and high-altitude low opening freefall jumps.

Major Aden Philpott, of 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (7 Para RHA) said: “Exercises such as this provide the opportunity to strengthen our existing NATO partnerships so that if called upon, we are ready to operate alongside our allies.”

The exercise concluded with a mass parachute drop onto the Ginkel Heath drop zone near Ede. It demonstrated the current capabilities of NATO’s airborne forces and honoured the courage and sacrifice of those who fought 80 years ago in the Second World War Battle of Arnhem.

At 1508 hours on the 18 September 1944, 1,900 paratroopers of the 4th Parachute Brigade dropped into Ginkel Heath – known as DZ ‘Y’ – to reinforce troops who had landed the previous day.

Eighty years later, 700 paratroopers, including 90 from 16 Air Assault Brigade, jumped onto the same Drop Zone in two waves.

Joining the paratroopers on the jump was the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Roly Walker who said: “I was very honoured and humbled to jump into Ginkel Heath to mark the 80th anniversary of Operation Market Garden. It was a chance to reflect on the high courage and selfless sacrifice of those from Allied Airborne Forces who fought and died for the freedom of us all.”

A memorial service was held on the drop zone after the parachute jumps. In attendance was His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Defence Minister Lord Coaker.

Prior to the mass jump, the soldiers visited significant sites from the battle, including Arnhem’s John Frost Bridge over the Lower Rhine at Arnhem. It is named after the Commander of the 2nd Parachute Battalion in honour of his bravery and leadership.

Maj Philpott said: “Battlefield tours help soldiers understand the history of their unit and how it shapes spirit and character. Operation Market Garden is a legendary operation and those who fought at Arnhem set a high standard that we aim to live up to. We want our young soldiers to gain an understanding of how and why tactics have changed to reflect today’s modern warfare. Visiting the actual locations can help them see why a leader took a particular decision.”

7 Para RHA’s Staff Sergeant Samuel Gosling said: “Operation Market Garden is legendary within airborne forces, and we all continue to be inspired by the service and sacrifice of that great generation. Some of our events on the P Company test week were born in Arnhem, including the ten-mile march from when the soldiers landed onto the drop zones and advanced to their positions.”