Since 1986 I am active as an aviation photographer. As I live in Tilburg the nearby Gilze-Rijen Airbase has always been my local airbase.

In 2008 the "Defence Helicopter Command (DHC)" was formed. This new entity was created to provide a single command infrastructure for all military helicopter operations supporting the Dutch armed forces. Main operating base for the DHC became Gilze-Rijen. In the late nineties Apache attack helicopters were based at Gilze Rijen. Some ten years later the decision was taken to close the heritage base of Soesterberg for flying operations, the fleet of Chinook and Cougar transport helicopters and the 'Royal Flight" of 4 ancient Alouette 3's were to be stationed at Gilze-Rijen as well, resulting in the DHC.

The photographs you see below were made during several occasions both in- and outside the airbase. Photographing inside the base was possible during visits I made together with the Gilze-Rijen Aviation Society. Also included are some photographs which I made at the operational trainingarea's near the airbase, visiting planes and the planes of the Dutch Air Force Historical Flight (SKHV) which also is based at Gilze-Rijen. Enjoy!

All photos are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or distributed without the expressed consent of Marcel Mutsaers. For more info send an e-mail to: marcelmutsaers@hotmail.com, or leave a message in my guestbook.