Lieutenant Colonel Eric Verweij graduated from the NLD Royal Military Academy in 1986. After basic training he was posted to the 3rd NLD Missile Group as Battery Control Officer on the HAWK Ground Based Air Defence system. After several operational posts, he became Squadron commander of the 327 Patriot Sq. in 1992. In 1998, he was posted to the RNLAF HQ in the GBAD/Force Protection Branch. As Flying Branch Instructor he was posted to the Tactical Leadership Programme in Florennes Belgium in 2002. After this tour he returned to the RNLAF HQ where he served in the Operational Requirements and Plans Section and, again, at the GBAD/FP Branch where he was responsible for the operational management of the Patriot weapon system. Lt Col Verweij is currently employed as Subject Matter Expert in Air and Missile Defence at the Combat Air Branch of the JAPCC.