Belgian Military Thread

[Gleipnir]

Thank you for the information, Sewen- I appreciate it.
I have always wondered how the Belgian armed forces compromised in terms of the languages, interesting that it doesn't sound like it is a big deal from what you have said.

[vor033]

Some Belgian Army Photos, some Para-Commando and Logistics Units

Again i hope no Reposts but all good pics so i hope worth seeing again

[vor033]

[vor033]

[vor033]

Last few Pics

[PathFindeR[BE]]

Yup, the pics are of Belkos 29.
I'm not sure which squadron is over there right now though. But I'm also inclined to assume it's Alpha...

Actually: ther's SO many rumors going on about 2/4L...do B and D Esk's still exist?
Seriously, I'm just waiting for someone to come and tell me 2/4L is going back to using horses...or even better: Segways, no - Rhino's! Yes, I can see it now: 2 rhino-mounted squadrons, and 1 "light" squadron riding ostriches, it will be both awesome and cheap...

Yep B and D still exist, both only tanks (I thought D only had 6 )
They are thinking about mixing squadrons back up,bv. 2 tank platoons and 1 AIFV. Which would be really bad for A squadron.

Supposedly the first platoon DF30(AIV with 30mm) would be ready in march 2010.

[flanker7]

A question for the Belgian friends here.
My unit uses some belgian made grenades, fragmatation. They come in a plastic box that holds the mechanism seperated from the main body of the grenade. Also, we use some thermite grenades calles CTE and some incediary called CWP. Do you know who makes them?

[Sato]

Thank you for the information, Sewen- I appreciate it.
I have always wondered how the Belgian armed forces compromised in terms of the languages, interesting that it doesn't sound like it is a big deal from what you have said.

In theory only officers are required to be bilingual. Other ranks face no second language requirements. Units are either French- or Dutch-speaking. Obviously there are many enlisted men and NCO's who can express themselves just fine in the other official language so everyone gets along nicely.

Also remember you don't have to be bilingual to cooperate and communicate with others who don't speak the same language as you do. Good will, some effort, imagination and standardisation go a long way...

[Sato]

A question for the Belgian friends here.
My unit uses some belgian made grenades, fragmatation. They come in a plastic box that holds the mechanism seperated from the main body of the grenade. Also, we use some thermite grenades calles CTE and some incediary called CWP. Do you know who makes them?

This is a detail of the Frag gren we use;



It is made by MECAR
As for the other grenades you've mentioned (the thermite and incendiary), I have no idea. And I don't think these are used in the Belgian army.

[SchwarzeTeufel-1665]

What kind of helmet is he wearing?

[SchwarzeTeufel-1665]

the guy on the right is that a british para or other unit...perhaps a dutch marine?

[vor033]

the guy on the right is that a british para or other unit...perhaps a dutch marine?

He could be Dutch, but while looking over early Photos of the Special Forces Group or ESR they do seem to use a mixture of Belgian and British/Dutch DPM. If you look at the guy in the middle he is using a Bitish DPM Rucksack.

Maybe someone else on this thread knows ??

[vor033]

What kind of helmet is he wearing?

It looks like a US MICH type helmet to me

[oakleaf]

it is a MICH (US army combat helmet), last summer I noticed a few paras with MICH'es in Arlon (MOUT area)... I don't know if it is a private purchase or not...

[bravo two-five]

the MICH-helmet is an issued item to "all" para-commandos. It 's a german variant of the MICH -helmet if I remember correctly. A few years ago the MoD ordered 2000 helmets and Berghaus-backpacks for our airborne troops. ( at least that's what I've been told by someone of 1Para)