Why Were Dutch Anti-Terrorist Commandos Training in the US?

One Dutch commando has died and two others are in the hospital after sustaining gunshot injuries while training at an urban combat center in Indiana.
www.dailymail.co.uk...

Aside from the very strange/suspicious nature of the incident (no arrests have been made, authorities don't believe the incident was random and don't think there's a threat to the public), I'm curious as to why Dutch anti-terrorist commanders are training for urban combat in the US?

Anyone have any ideas about this confusing case?

a reply to: zosimov

I think it's normal exchange. Our jet fighter pilots train with US forces on US soil too sometimes. And US forces train with Germans in German airspace.

Maybe it is because of different environment too. You know, like not being at home and around familiar surroundings.

a reply to: TDDAgain

This is what I'm wondering. I'd be curious to hear if this is the indeed the case with the Dutch commandos.

Beyond that, having three men shot, witnesses, one dead, and no arrest or mention of a perpetrator is odd.

Hope you're having a good day!!

Allies often train together. So no, it's not suspicious or worrying, although clearly a worrying accident.

Here's an interesting example...

a reply to: zosimov
I'm not military, but it occurs to me that America just has a lot more empty space where military people can practice their skills, without humans getting in the way.

a reply to: zosimov

Its always been my understanding that military of friendly nations often train with each other, especially Special Forces, elites teams and specialists etc.

I read somewhere that there had been some sort of altercation in a bar or something prior to this incident?
Can't remember where I read it but it does seem rather plausible.

a reply to: Freeborn
Seems like a fair enough explanation.

As for the rest of it, from what I can gauge, the men were off-duty and there was some sort of altercation, as you wrote.

In a case where three men are shot, we should have at least one arrest/perp, unless we're talking self-defense (in which case the Dutch commandos should be facing arrest)

Indiana’s “Stand Your Ground” law provides, in part, that “[a] person is justified in using reasonable force against any other person to protect the person or a third person from what the person reasonably believes to be the imminent use of unlawful force.” However, a person “is justified in using deadly force”, and does not have “a duty to retreat”, if the person “reasonably believes” that deadly force is “necessary to prevent serious bodily injury to the person or a third person or the commission of a forcible felony.” This law makes it clear that “[n]o person in this state shall be placed in legal jeopardy of any kind whatsoever for protecting the person or a third person by reasonable means necessary.”

a reply to: zosimov

Police believe the shooting followed an earlier disturbance in downtown Indianapolis, but gave few details.

According to local media, the incident took place around 03:30 (07:30 GMT) on Saturday outside the Hampton Inn Hotel in the city's entertainment district, where the three soldiers had been staying.

Officials believe the shooting followed a previous altercation including one or multiple other people at another location in the city.

www.bbc.co.uk...

a reply to: Freeborn

I know we're considered "the wild west" here in the US, but people still can't be having gun battles in the streets w/o facing arrest and prosecution, especially when there are witnesses. And the police don't consider there to be a threat to the public.. perhaps the commandos shot themselves?

Maybe the presence of Dutch anti-terrorist soldiers training in Indiana isn't odd, but the situation outlined sure is.

originally posted by: DISRAELI
a reply to: zosimov
I'm not military, but it occurs to me that America just has a lot more empty space where military people can practice their skills, without humans getting in the way.

Urban combat centers tend to be populated.

a reply to: zosimov

I've got to say I find it a bit odd that there have been no arrests or anything.
The shooting took place outside a hotel in the 'entertainment district', you would have thought there'd be plenty of witnesses and CCTV footage etc.

Even if it is eventually ruled a 'lawful' killing I'd imagine there's a procedure to go through to determine that and that it would involve questioning the shooter under caution etc.

a reply to: zosimov

Apparently the Dutch military got a taste of literal urban warfare and it didn't go as planned.

a reply to: zosimov
Well that's a different case, I just threw in the comment. After the shower I check out your link.

Day was not better than Friday, hope your day was great though.

originally posted by: zosimov
a reply to: Freeborn

I know we're considered "the wild west" here in the US, but people still can't be having gun battles in the streets w/o facing arrest and prosecution, especially when there are witnesses. And the police don't consider there to be a threat to the public.. perhaps the commandos shot themselves?

Maybe the presence of Dutch anti-terrorist soldiers training in Indiana isn't odd, but the situation outlined sure is.

"Mutual combat?" Wait. My bad. That's Illinois not Indiana.

a reply to: zosimov

perhaps the commandos shot themselves?

Maybe the presence of Dutch anti-terrorist soldiers training in Indiana isn't odd, but the situation outlined sure is.

I had that thought during reading too, that it was internal conflict. Imagine one pulling a gun, the other one pulling a gun in defense of the other and then bad things happen. But why though. I would think these men know better.

Conspiracy angle: They seen something they should not have?

The NL talks about a suspected gunman still at large and that there are multiple witness. I am not completely sure how to translate the sentence, for me it feels like it isn't really sure that there was a gunman but suspected there is one. Why would they use "suspected" then, there's a lot info missing if there was a man seen involved and fled.

Maybe in a few hours there's more info. It's a strange case for sure.

The incident took place at around 3:30 am, so I think they were out drinking that night and ran into an altercation would be my best bet.

a reply to: schuyler
But presumably the training is not carried out on civilian-occupied streets?

originally posted by: DISRAELI
a reply to: schuyler
But presumably the training is not carried out on civilian-occupied streets?

Guess it depends on how "real" they want to make "real world training." Negative points for winging a civilian.

originally posted by: zosimov
One Dutch commando has died and two others are in the hospital after sustaining gunshot injuries while training at an urban combat center in Indiana.
www.dailymail.co.uk...

Aside from the very strange/suspicious nature of the incident (no arrests have been made, authorities don't believe the incident was random and don't think there's a threat to the public), I'm curious as to why Dutch anti-terrorist commanders are training for urban combat in the US?

Anyone have any ideas about this confusing case?

I live 30 minutes south of there they were outside a hotel in Indianapolis when some sort of scuffle broke out.
Seems to be 3 on 1 situation from local reports 2 days ago.

No results so far other than here for training.



Also it was like 330 am nothing good happens after midnight in a blue city.


Sorry as another add on I distinctly remember the news lady not mention the race or gender of the person responsible for the shooting.

Indiana is a lovely place outside the cities.

Thanks to all who took the time out to clarify this interesting (in my mind) case!

You have convinced me that the presence of these trainees is probably not suspicious or weird. I agree that it makes sense for allies to train together, and that the ground may sometimes be outside of one's own country.

As for the shooting incident, it's still a bit mysterious from my perspective.

If I hear anything that clears this up, I'll post it here. I'd appreciate any updates anyone else has also.