Falcon Leap exercise, Eindhoven AFB

Every year in early to mid-September, Eindhoven Air Base becomes a hub of international airborne military activity. Exercise Falcon Leap is a large-scale training event organized by the Royal Netherlands Army's 11 Luchtmobiele Brigade (11th Airmobile Brigade), together with the Netherlands Air Force's Air Mobility Command, alongside partner countries from NATO and beyond. 

The purpose of Falcon Leap is to train and improve interoperability in air transport, cargo drops, parachute operations, and air-land operations. It is designed to ensure that the participating nations can work together effectively today, and are prepared for future airborne operations—especially those involving rapid transport of troops or humanitarian relief. 

The two-week exercise is structured roughly in phases:

• Week 1: Cargo drops (using container delivery systems, etc.), parachute drops over fixed drop‐zones, and various air mobility tasks. 

• Week 2: Paratrooper drops, landing operations (airborne insertions), often culminating in a large‐scale paradrop or public display. 

An important feature is the final paradrop at Ginkelse Heide (Ginkel Heath) near Ede, which also ties to the commemoration of Operation Market Garden from WWII. On that day, participating aircraft drop paratroopers in a manner that both demonstrates capability and honors history. 

Falcon Leap brings together a sizeable contingent of aircraft and military personnel from multiple countries. While the exact roster changes from year to year, typical participants include:

• The Netherlands (with C‑130 Hercules and other transport assets) 

• Germany (A400M) 

• Greece, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, etc. 

Aircraft typically used include various versions of the C‑130 (Hercules), C‑27J, C‑295, A400M, and occasionally other specialty or legacy aircraft. 

More pictures can be found here.