Walter Hansen is the new head of the Netherlands Naval Forces in the Caribbean. He is also the director of the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard and commander of Task Force 4.4.
He succeeds the retiring Brigadier General Frank Boots. The ceremony was at the Parera naval base in Curaçao.
Hansen, a “Commandeur” in the Royal Navy, is familiar with the Caribbean.
He was the operations director for the Kustwacht Caribisch Gebied and commander of the patrol vessel Jaguar (P810).
Dutch Military in the Caribbean
The Netherlands Naval Forces led the Dutch Caribbean forces in the Caribbean. The headquarters and the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard are at the Parera naval base in Curaçao.
The Dutch Navy deploys patrol vessels, frigates, and submarines in the Caribbean.
It also maintains the logistic support ship Hr.Ms. Pelikaan (A 804) and Marine Corps detachments in Aruba and Curaçao.
The Royal Netherlands Air Force operates the Hato airbase in Curaçao.
Dutch military aircraft, De Havilland Canada DHC-8 Dash 8 patrol aircraft, and Leonardo AW139 helicopters operate there.
U.S. Air Force and Navy electronic reconnaissance aircraft and U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft also operate there.
They are assigned to detect narcotics trafficking in the Caribbean.
The Koninklijke Luchtmacht deployed the General Atomics MQ-9A Block 5 Reaper at the airbase.
The Dutch Caribbean comprises Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saint Maarten (north), Sint Eustatius, and Saba.