PHILIPSBURG--With the go-ahead from the St. Maarten government, personnel of the Royal Dutch Army’s Engineers Regiment will map out the country’s terrain and infrastructure April 10-24.
The operation seeks to create an up-to-date map of the country’s landscape.
“This map will serve as an aid in reconstruction in the event of a future natural disaster. The Royal Dutch Army will perform this work to ensure that, in cooperation with the Dutch Armed Forces in the Caribbean, it can provide assistance more rapidly if its assistance is required,” said the Royal Dutch Army in a press release on Thursday. “If a natural disaster occurs in the future, the map will make it possible to rapidly and efficiently determine the damage.”
The Royal Dutch Army also said its engineers will also have the opportunity to practise skills in a real-world setting.
“The military objective is to train those who are tasked with engineer reconnaissance,” it was stated in the press release. “The military personnel involved will travel in military uniform using civilian vehicles. They will therefore be recognisable because of their military clothing, but, in order minimise any inconvenience to people and the environment, will not use heavy military vehicles.”
There will be no tactical training in this exercise, said the Royal Dutch Army, which means that weapons and ammunition will not be used.
