Special Operations Regiment (Belgium)

The Special Operations Regiment is a regiment of the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. Its headquarters is located in Heverlee. It was known as the Light Brigade until 3 July 2018 when it was renamed to its current name. The Special Operations Regiment is Belgium's special operations and rapid response unit.[1]

Special Operations Regiment
Active1 December 1948
CountryBelgium Belgium
BranchLand Component
TypeSpecial operations
Size1,500
HeadquartersHeverlee
Motto(s)"Far ahead", "who dares wins"
Commanders
Current
commander
Colonel Tom Bilo
Insignia
Parachute Qualification Brevet
Commando Qualification Brevet

History

During the Second World War, parachutist and commando units were founded in Great Britain. In January 1942 the first Belgian parachutists were trained at RAF Ringway, Manchester, England, to serve in the No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando. The same year, the Belgian Independent Parachute Company was established and commanded by Captain Eddy Blondeel.

Later, the unit was incorporated into Britain's Special Air Service Brigade and became the 5th Special Air Service (known as the Belgian SAS squadron). The SAS squadron was active during World War II until enemy activities were discontinued. They performed several operations using the parachute regiment and armoured jeeps. Thereafter, the unit also took part in counter-intelligence operations.

On 21 September 1945 5th SAS was transferred from the British Army to the newly reformed Belgian Army. Renamed as the Regiment of Parachutists SAS, they served independently as a highly mobile airborne unit until 1952. That year, the parachutist and commando units were brought together to form the Para Commando Regiment. Later, an antitank company, a field artillery battery and a reconnaissance squadron were added to the regiment.

In 1991, the regiment became the Para-Commando Brigade by adding new support units. In 2003, the Para Commando units (1st Paratroopers Battalion, 3rd Paratroopers Battalion, 2nd Commando Battalion) together with the 12/13th Battalion of the Line formed the new Light Brigade. It was stationed in Marche-en-Famenne.

On July 3, 2018, the Light Brigade was transformed into the Special Operations Regiment and its headquarter moved to Heverlee. The regiment consists of the two remaining Para-commando battalions (3rd Para, 2nd Commando), the Special Forces Group, the 6th Group CIS, the training centre for parachutists and the training centre for commandos. The 12/13th Battalion of the Line was transferred to the Motorized Brigade.

The Para-commando battalions work closely with the Belgian Air Force's 15th Air Transport Wing, who operate the Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.

Organisation

Special Operations Regiment (Belgium) is located in Belgium
SpecOps Rgt.
SpecOps Rgt.
SF Group
SF Group
2 Commando
2 Commando
3 Paratroopers
3 Paratroopers
Paratroopers Training Centre
Paratroopers Training Centre
Commando Training Centre
Commando Training Centre
6 CIS Group
6 CIS Group
Special Operations Regiment locations

Other units with Para Commandos

Other units personnel from the Belgian Armed Forces that support the 2nd Commando Battalion and 3rd Paratrooper Battalion, who as well as their primary trade have to complete the Para commandos "A" certificate training and in so doing, earn their Parachutists and Commando Brevets. Some of these units are currently in the process of being integrated into the new SOR (Special Operations Regiment) structure and as such will no longer be dependent upon the non-paracommando HQ of their former unit.[2]

  • Artillery Battalion[3] selected members of:
    • Joint Fires Observer (Land Air Integration) battery;
    • Mortar battery (Qualified members of both batteries wear a Sherwood green beret with Artillery badge).
  • 11th Engineer Battalion[4]
    • Light combat engineers company (68th Company) (wear a Sherwood green beret with Engineers badge)
  • 14th Medical Battalion[5] of the Medical Component
    • Medical (Special Operations Regiment) company (wear a maroon beret with unique Para Commando Medical badge)
  • Logistics (Maintenance / Repair, Transportation and Supply) personnel attached to units within or support the Special Operations Regiment (wear a Sherwood green beret with special operations regiments badge).
  • 6th signaling battalion (communication and information systems) supports the regiment with all means of communication. (wear a maroon beret with cis badge)

References

  • "Special Operations Regiment" (in Dutch). Defence Belgium. Retrieved 2018-07-04.
  1. "Instauration officielle du nouveau Special Operations Regiment". Belgian Military. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  2. "Het Special Operations Regiment". Belgian Armed Forces. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  3. http://www.bataljonartillerie.be/2014_07_ Website of the Battalion (in Dutch)
  4. "Belgium". Military Engineering Centre of Excellence. Retrieved 2021-04-11.
  5. "Nieuw Bataljon bij de Medische Component". Belgian Armed Forces. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
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