US helicopter on Dutch navy vessel

In absence of a Dutch maritime helicopter, an American helicopter was stationed on the ocean-going patrol vessel, Zr. Ms. Zeeland, Friday, in the Caribbean. The Zr. Ms. Zeeland left the Netherlands for the Caribbean on January 26, 2014. The Dolphin of the USCG Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) from Jacksonville, Florida will take part in the ship's battle against drugs for the next 4 months.

The HITRON helicopters are specialized in intercepting suspicious vessels and come with a team of 7, among whom a sharpshooter and maintenance crew. It's a first for an American helicopter to be based on a Dutch ship for an extended time, which demonstrates the successful coöperation between the U.S.A. and the Netherlands in the Caribbean, according to the Ministry of Defense.