Operational Support Command Land Explained

Unit Name:	Operational Support Command Land
Native Name:	Operationeel Ondersteuningscommando Land (OOCL)
Start Date:	2009
Branch:	Royal Netherlands Army
Type:	Combat support Combat service support
Size:	5000 personnel
Command Structure:	Commander of the Royal Netherlands Army
Current Commander:	Brigadier general Joland Dubbeldam
Garrison:	Frank van Bijnen Barracks in Apeldoorn

The Operational Support Command Land (Dutch: Operationeel Ondersteuningscommando Land, OOCL) is a support command of the Royal Netherlands Army. The command consists of multiple combat support and combat service support units that provide the army with a broad variety of services.^[1] The OOCL was established in 2009, with the simultaneous disbandment of 1 Logistics Brigade (1 Logistieke Brigade) and 101 Combat Support Brigade (101 Gevechtssteunbrigade).

Units

Command & Control Support Command

The (Command & Control Ondersteuningscommando, C2OstCo), is based in Stroe and provides the army with all types of communications.^[2] The command consists of three signal companies and the Signals Service School:

• Command & Control Support Command
  • A; B and C Signal Company
  • Signals Service School

Joint ISTAR Command

The Joint ISTAR Command (Joint ISTAR Commando, JISTARC) is based in 't Harde, and is tasked with collecting, analysing and sharing intelligence.^[3] The command consist of the following units:

• Joint ISTAR Command
  • Staff Squadron (Stafeskadron)
  • 102 Electronic Warfare Company (102 Elektronische Oorlogsvoering compagnie)
  • 104 JISTARC Reconnaissance Squadron (104 JISTARC Verkenningseskadron), with Fennek light armoured reconnaissance vehicles
  • 105 Field HUMINT Squadron (105 Field Humint-eskadron)
  • 106 Intelligence Squadron (106 Inlichtingeneskadron)
  • 107 Aerial Systems Battery (107 Aerial Systems Batterij), with RQ-11B DDL Raven, Q-27 ScanEagle, RQ-21A Integrator unmanned aerial vehicles^[4]
  • 108 Technical Exploitation Intelligence Company (108 Technical Exploitation Intelligence-compagnie)
  • 109 Open-source Intelligence Company (109 Open Sources Intelligence-compagnie)

Fire Support Command

The Fire Support Command (Vuursteun Commando, VustCo) is based in 't Harde, and is responsible for providing the Dutch armed forces with ground-based fire support.^[5] The command consists of the following units:

• Fire Support Command, in 't Harde^{[6] [7]}
  • 11 Horse Artillery Battalion (11 Afdeling Rijdende Artillerie; being formed; will join the 43 Mechanised Brigade in 2025)^[7]
  • 41 Field Artillery Battalion (41 Afdeling Veldartillerie; will join the 13 Light Brigade in 2025)^[7]
    • Headquarters Battery (Stafbatterij)
    • A and B Battery, each with 9× Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzers
    • C Battery, with 16× MO-120-RT towed mortars (being re-equipped with 9× Panzerhaubitze 2000 and will join 11 Horse Artillery Battalion in 2025; MO-120-RT mortars will be transferred to 11 Air Assault Brigade)^[7]
    • D Battery, with 6× Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzers (will receive 3× additional Panzerhaubitze 2000 and join 11 Horse Artillery Battalion in 2025)^[7]
  • Fire Support School (Vuursteunschool)
  • Artillery Fire Range (Artillerieschietkamp)

1 Civil-military Interaction Command

The 1 (1 Civiel en Militair Interactiecommando) is based in Apeldoorn, and is specialised in various forms of interactions between the army and non-military parties, such as local populations and NGOs.^[8] The command is specialisied in the following disciplines:

• 1 Civil-Military Cooperation Command
  • Culture and Education
  • Public governance
  • Infrastructure
  • Human Rights and Healthcare
  • Economy, Employment, Agriculture and Cattle
  • Development of Small Businesses

Supply and Transport Command

The (Bevoorradings- en Transportcommando) is based in Stroe, and is tasked with the supply and transport for missions, exercises and foreign deployments.^[9] The command consist of the following units:

• Supply and Transport Command
  • Staff Company (Stafcompagnie)
  • 110 and 220 Transport Company (Transportcompagnie)
  • 130 and 230 Base Company (Clustercompagnie)
  • 140 Heavy Transport Company (140 Zwaar Transportcompagnie)
  • 210 Regional Transport Company (210 Regionale Vervoerscompagnie)
  • 240 Service Company (240 Dienstencompagnie)

101 Engineer Battalion

The (101 Geniebataljon) is based in Wezep, and is tasked with the construction and maintenance of military infrastructure such as roads, buildings and bridges.^[10] The battalion consists of the following units:

• 101 Engineer Battalion
  • 101 Staff Company (101 Stafcompagnie)
  • 102 and 103 Construction Company (Constructiecompagnieën)
  • 105 Hydraulic Engineer Company (105 Geniecompagnie Waterbouw)

400 Medical Battalion

The (400 Geneeskundig Bataljon) is based in Ermelo, and provides medical services to the Dutch armed forces.^[11] The battalion consists of the following units:

• 400 Medical Battalion
  • Staff and Support Company (Staff & Ondersteuningscompagnie)
  • 420; 421; 422 and 423 Hospital Company (Hospitaalcompagnie)

Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service

The (Explosieven Opruimingsdienst Defensie) is based in Soesterberg, and is responsible for land and maritime explosive ordnance disposal.^[12] The service consists of the following units:

• Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service
  • Ground-based Company (Grondgebonden compagnie)
  • Maritime Company (Maritieme compagnie)
  • Research Institute (Kenniscentrum)
  • EOD School (EOD-school)

Land Forces Command Staff Support Group

The Land Forces Command Staff Support Group (Ondersteuningsgroep CLAS) is based in Arnhem, and comprises various support and ceremonial units.^[13] The group consists of the following elements:

• Land Forces Command Staff Support Group
  • Royal Military Band "Johan Willem Friso" (Koninklijke Militaire Kapel "Johan Willem Friso)
  • Regimental Fanfare Garde Grenadiers en Jagers (Regimentsfanfare Garde Grenadiers en Jagers)
  • Mounted Units Regimental Fanfare (Regimentsfanfare Bereden Wapens)
  • National Reserve Korps Fanfare (Fanfare Korps Nationale Reserve)
  • Honorary Cavalry Escort (Cavalerie Ere Escorte)
  • Defense Geography Service (Dienst Geografie Defensie)
  • Military Penitentiary Center (Militair Penitentiair Centrum)(in Stroe)
  • Individual Transmission Office - Security Sector Reform (Bureau Individual Uitzendingen - Security Sector Reform)
  • Internal Security Service (Interne Dienstverlening)
  • Military Court (Militaire Rechtbank)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Operationeel Ondersteuningscommando Land . defensie.nl . Ministry of Defence . 13 March 2021.
2. Web site: Command & Control Ondersteuningscommando . defensie.nl . Ministry of Defence . 14 March 2021.
3. Web site: Joint ISTAR Commando . defensie.nl . Ministry of Defence . 14 March 2021.
4. Web site: Integrator komt eraan . Dutch Armed Forces . 30 April 2020.
5. Web site: Vuursteun Commando . defensie.nl . Ministry of Defence . 14 March 2021.
6. Web site: Vuursteun Commando . 16 September 2019 . Royal Netherlands Army . 30 April 2020.
7. Web site: Versterking vuursteun krijgt vorm . Netherlands Army . 9 June 2024.
8. Web site: 1 Civiel en Militair Interactiecommando . defensie.nl . Ministry of Defence . 14 March 2021.
9. Web site: Bevoorrading en Transport Commando . defensie.nl . Ministry of Defence . 14 March 2021.
10. Web site: 101 Geniebataljon . defensie.nl . Ministry of Defence . 14 March 2021.
11. Web site: 400 Geneeskundig Bataljon . defensie.nl . Ministry of Defence . 14 March 2021.
12. Web site: Eenheden Explosieven Opruimingsdienst Defensie . defensie.nl . Ministry of Defence . 14 March 2021.
13. Web site: Ondersteuningsgroep CLAS . Ministry of Defence . 14 March 2021.