Willemstad:--- During a military ceremony on Monday morning, June 30, 2025, Company Rotation 48 handed over its tasks to the next unit, Rotation 49. The new commander, Major Marco Kamphorst from Havelte, assumed command from his predecessor, Lieutenant Colonel Kjell Koster, during a traditional paddle transfer ceremony.

After four intensive months in the Caribbean, Lieutenant Colonel Koster looks back with pride on the collaboration and training of Engineer Company 11. “For the unit, it was a unique opportunity to train in this tropical climate and to work together with CZMCARIB and local partners. We learned a lot about operating in the challenging conditions of the Caribbean. During our rotation, we were able to work on our engineering, technical, and tactical skills to the maximum. Curacao, Bonaire, and Aruba gave the Engineering platoons the opportunity to lay a good foundation for general military skills, but also for specialist subjects such as Airfield Damage Repair, working with explosives and performing engineering techniques in the context of mobility and counter-mobility. In addition to that, we could work on our own readiness. We also worked together and trained with the Curacao military, units of CZMCARIB, and local security partners. For example, the military of the 11th Engineering Company provided assistance on Sint Maarten following the fire in the prison. They did this in cooperation with the local authorities on Sint Maarten and the Marine detachment on Sint Maarten. It was special to see how, despite differences in background and working methods, together we could contribute to security and stability. This period has not only strengthened our operational capability, but also the ties with our partners in the Caribbean.”

Major Marco is looking forward to training and working in the Caribbean area with his unit, Brigade Reconnaissance Squadron 43 (BVE), for the next 4 months. The unit has been reinforced with an engineer reconnaissance platoon from Armored Engineer Battalion 11 and a medical detachment from Medical Company 43. Brigade Reconnaissance Squadron 43 is multifunctionally deployable within the three main tasks of the armed forces, performs reconnaissance and surveillance tasks worldwide, and can eliminate enemy High Payoff Targets by means of Ground-based Firesupport. They do this with ground-based reconnaissance capacity, both mounted and on foot, but also make frequent use of unmanned systems and drones. Normally they do this for Mechanized Brigade 43 (Brigade Combat Team) from Havelte. Now the reconnaissance squadron gets the chance and the opportunity to conduct their tasks in the Caribbean area. Firstly, because they bring unique capabilities and resources that can be of great value if their help or assistance is requested in the region. Secondly, it is a unique opportunity for them to be able to train and experiment in the tropical climate of the Caribbean. Major Marco expects that they will have a remarkably interesting period ahead of them and hopes that we can make it a beautiful and meaningful time together with our local partners.

The Royal Netherlands Army has permanent company in the Caribbean. This unit, under the command of CZMCARIB, can be deployed for a variety of tasks. The company will train in Aruba, Bonaire as well as in Curaçao for the next four months.