Special Operations Regiment (Belgium)

The Special Operations Regiment, formerly the Light Brigade, is a Regiment of the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. Its headquarters is located in Heverlee. Known until 3 July 2018 as the Light Brigade the regiment is Belgium's special operations and rapid response unit.

Organisation

 * Special Operations Regiment in Heverlee
 * Headquarters and Staff Company, carrying the traditions of the 4th Commando Battalion in Marche-en-Famenne
 * 2nd Commando Battalion in Flawinne
 * 3rd Paratroopers Battalion in Tielen
 * Special Forces Group in Heverlee
 * 6th Communication and Information Systems Group in Peutie
 * Parachute Training Centre at Schaffen Air Base
 * Commando Training Centre in Marche-les-Dames

History
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 WWII 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 of Parachutists 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 Paracommando Regiment.

The Regiment was transformed in 1989 to the Paracommando Brigade. A few years later in 2002 it became the IRCC (Immediate Reaction Capability Command). After the next transformation it became the Light Brigade and was stationed in Marche en Famenne.

On July 3rd, 2018 the Light Brigade was transformed into the Special Operations Regiment with it's headquarter in Heverlee.