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Special Forces Group (Belgium)
The Special Forces Group is a special forces unit in the Belgian Army and part of the Special Operations Regiment.
Members of the Special Forces Group are selected from all the branches of the Belgian Armed Forces. Candidates must have at least three years' experience in the military to join the Special Forces Group.
In January 1942 the first Belgian parachutists were trained at RAF Ringway, Manchester, England. The same year, the Belgian Independent Parachute Company was established and commanded by Captain E. Blondeel. Later, the unit was incorporated into the 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 the Regiment Parachutistes SAS they served independently as a highly mobile airborne unit until 1952 when the regiment joined with the Commando Regiment to form a battalion of the Para-commando Regiment.
From 1952 on the traditions of 5th SAS were continued by 1st Paratroopers Battalion (1 PARA) of the Para-commando Regiment. In 1955 the ESR-SOE (Eléments Spéciaux de Recherche-Speciale Opsporings Elementen), translated as the Special Detection Unit, was created and included operators from all divisions of the Army. The unit was part of the 1st Belgian Corps and was commanded by Captain J. BYL and succeeded by Major R. Tagnon.
In 1961, the ESR-SOE was officially established with R. Tagnon as the first Corps commander. In 1964, under the command of P. Crèvecoeur the unit changed its name and became the first Company ESR-GVP (Equipes Spéciales de Reconnaissance-Gespecialiseerde VerkenningsPloegen), translated as the Specialized Reconnaissance Teams. The company was made up of team members from the Army and a Para-Commando detachment. They worked in conjunction with all the division as well as the I Corps (Belgium). The unit consisted of 16 teams of 4 operators as well as support members, for a total of about 120 men and served in a stay-behind role. The unit was stationed in Weiden, then in Euskirchen, and finally in Spich until it was disbanded in 1994.
In 1994, the detachment LRRP (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol) was established following the tradition of the 1st Company ESR-GVP. The LRRP was dependent on the Para-Commando brigade and was stationed in Heverlee until it was disbanded in 2000.
In April 2000, the Special Forces Group was established from the 3rd Regiment Lanciers Parachutisten and was moved to Flawinne. In February 2003, the Special Forces Group became an independent unit when the 3rd Regiment Lanciers was disbanded. In 2011 Amid Defence cuts and reorganization of the Belgian Armed Forces, 1 PARA was disbanded after 59 years of continuous service. In December 2011, the unit's banner, flag, insignia and traditions were officially handed over to Special Forces Group (SFG) to carry on from the 5th SAS and 1 Para linage. In 2012, the SFG moved to new barracks in Heverlee and became part of the Light Brigade.
On 3 July 2018, the Light Brigade disbanded and the Special Operations Regiment (SOR) was inaugurated. The SOR consists of the following units: Special Forces Group (SFG), 2nd Commando Battalion (2 Codo), 3rd Paratroopers Battalion (3 PARA), Commando Training Centre (CE Cdo), Parachutist Training Centre (CE Para), and the 6th Group Communication and Information Systems (6 Gp CIS).
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Special Forces Group (Belgium)
The Special Forces Group is a special forces unit in the Belgian Army and part of the Special Operations Regiment.
Members of the Special Forces Group are selected from all the branches of the Belgian Armed Forces. Candidates must have at least three years' experience in the military to join the Special Forces Group.
In January 1942 the first Belgian parachutists were trained at RAF Ringway, Manchester, England. The same year, the Belgian Independent Parachute Company was established and commanded by Captain E. Blondeel. Later, the unit was incorporated into the 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 the Regiment Parachutistes SAS they served independently as a highly mobile airborne unit until 1952 when the regiment joined with the Commando Regiment to form a battalion of the Para-commando Regiment.
From 1952 on the traditions of 5th SAS were continued by 1st Paratroopers Battalion (1 PARA) of the Para-commando Regiment. In 1955 the ESR-SOE (Eléments Spéciaux de Recherche-Speciale Opsporings Elementen), translated as the Special Detection Unit, was created and included operators from all divisions of the Army. The unit was part of the 1st Belgian Corps and was commanded by Captain J. BYL and succeeded by Major R. Tagnon.
In 1961, the ESR-SOE was officially established with R. Tagnon as the first Corps commander. In 1964, under the command of P. Crèvecoeur the unit changed its name and became the first Company ESR-GVP (Equipes Spéciales de Reconnaissance-Gespecialiseerde VerkenningsPloegen), translated as the Specialized Reconnaissance Teams. The company was made up of team members from the Army and a Para-Commando detachment. They worked in conjunction with all the division as well as the I Corps (Belgium). The unit consisted of 16 teams of 4 operators as well as support members, for a total of about 120 men and served in a stay-behind role. The unit was stationed in Weiden, then in Euskirchen, and finally in Spich until it was disbanded in 1994.
In 1994, the detachment LRRP (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol) was established following the tradition of the 1st Company ESR-GVP. The LRRP was dependent on the Para-Commando brigade and was stationed in Heverlee until it was disbanded in 2000.
In April 2000, the Special Forces Group was established from the 3rd Regiment Lanciers Parachutisten and was moved to Flawinne. In February 2003, the Special Forces Group became an independent unit when the 3rd Regiment Lanciers was disbanded. In 2011 Amid Defence cuts and reorganization of the Belgian Armed Forces, 1 PARA was disbanded after 59 years of continuous service. In December 2011, the unit's banner, flag, insignia and traditions were officially handed over to Special Forces Group (SFG) to carry on from the 5th SAS and 1 Para linage. In 2012, the SFG moved to new barracks in Heverlee and became part of the Light Brigade.
On 3 July 2018, the Light Brigade disbanded and the Special Operations Regiment (SOR) was inaugurated. The SOR consists of the following units: Special Forces Group (SFG), 2nd Commando Battalion (2 Codo), 3rd Paratroopers Battalion (3 PARA), Commando Training Centre (CE Cdo), Parachutist Training Centre (CE Para), and the 6th Group Communication and Information Systems (6 Gp CIS).