FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – Flight crews from 5th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment “Eagle Assault” took to the skies with Mayor Kees Van Rooij of Meierijstad, Netherlands for a distinguished visitor flight on May 16 as a part of the 2026 Week of the Eagles.
Each year Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) travel to Meierijstad to commemorate the fallen troops of Operation Market Garden. Launched in 1944, this historic WWII airborne operation by the 101st Airborne Division, 82nd Airborne Division, and 1st British Airborne Division, resulted in the liberation of parts of the southern Netherlands. This year Mayor Van Rooij was honored to visit Fort Campbell.
“This is my third trip to Fort Campbell,” said Van Rooij. “Every time I come, I want to thank people here. They liberated us in the end of the Second World War in Operation Market Garden, and we have had a good connection since that time.”
During the flight, Eagle Assault aircrews showed the mayor the Fort Campbell training area and parts of Clarksville, Tenn. Far from a standard aerial orientation, the flight symbolized the lasting bond between the Screaming Eagles and the people of Meierijstad.
“The 5-101st Aviation Regiment sees it as a privilege to fly Mayor Kees Van Rooij,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Lee, commander of 5-101 AVN REGT. “He has been an ambassador to the 101st with everything he has done over the last few years for the Operation Market Garden celebration. He has helped strengthen the partnership between the Netherlands and the 101st Airborne Division. It is a pleasure to have gotten to know him and to have this opportunity to integrate him into the Week of the Eagles."
The distinguished visitor flight underscores the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade’s commitment to supporting our international allies. By continually engaging civic leaders such as Mayor Van Rooij the unit cultivates relationships that are crucial for interoperability.
In September 1944 the liberation of Sint-Oedenrode came during Operation Market-Garden. The U.S. 101st Airborne Division liberated the Town of Sint-Oedenrode (the 'Market' part) after parachuting in the fields in the vicinity. They were followed by the British XXX Army Corps (the 'Garden' part).
Sint-Oedenrode was an important location between the Allied landing zones in Son and Veghel. General Eisenhower and Field Marshal Montgomery had the important task of keep the corridor (which ran through Sint-Oedenrode) open for the passage of the British 30th Corps to conquer Nijmegen.
At the village of St. Oedenrode the Allies encountered fierce German counter-attacks in an attempt to cut the passage to the north in the direction of Nijmegen and Arnhem. The bridge over the Dommel was under fire for days. VIEW ORIGINAL
“Our municipality has 85,000 inhabitants and we have a lot of small monuments on history,” said Van Rooij. “When Soldiers are with us, we show them. They we that even 82 years after the Second World War, we commemorate and honor them. It’s good for morale of the Soldiers to experience that and to know what they do is important.”
The annual Week of the Eagles is a cornerstone tradition that unites Soldiers, Veterans, and the Fort Campbell Community. Following the event, representatives from the 101st ABN DIV (AA) plan to visit the Netherlands in September 2026.
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