The Slopes South at Gilze-Rijen is a location where the helicopters of the Defense Helicopter Command (DHC)
of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (KLu, RNLAF) come very close. After a long period of maintenance, the Lady
Liberty finally came to Slopes South on Monday May 18, 2020. This Chinook with number D-662 has long been
in Mali for the deployment of the Dutch armed forces. The Chinook made multiple landings on the Slopes mainly
to practice communication between the load master and the pilots. During such movements in tight spaces and
on uneven terrain, the pilot is completely dependent on the instructions given by the load master. Maneuvering
with a helicopter like the Chinook is therefore a combination of absolute control and some good team work on
board of the helicopter. The Chinook is the workhorse of the RNLAF when it comes to transporting a lot of men
and freight.