defensie.ladefense

[EAGLE ANGEL] The Multinational Battlegroup (MN BG) Role 1 conducted a high-intensity training exercise in Romania called **EAGLE ANGEL**. 🇫🇷🤝🇧🇪 This exercise brought together the full medical capacities of the French and Belgian teams to test their skills in handling mass casualty scenarios (MASCAL) and managing crises from the Operations Centre. It was also a milestone—the first joint exercise for the Multinational Role 1 team after the last personnel rotation. The result? 🚨💪 19 simulated ‘wounded’ were expertly treated in record time, proving that the team is ready to save lives under pressure. #EagleAngel #Teamwork #MilitaryTraining #SavingLives #MNBG #France #Belgium #Romania

[The return 🛠️] The 68th Company of the 11th Engineer Battalion has been re-established in Burcht, returning to its roots as a heavy combat engineering unit. This step is essential to respond to the changing security environment. 🫡🛠️ 💣🌉🏗️ With tasks such as clearing mines, conducting demolitions, building and destroying bridges, detecting hidden weapons and supporting amphibious operations, the 68th Company plays a vital role in strengthening the Land Component. The first recruits are already in training and preparing for their NATO Battlegroup mission in 2025. A big step forward for our defence capabilities! 💪 📸 Lucia Gaggero & 11 bataljon Genie #BelgianDefence #Defensie #LaDéfense #WhatWeDo #Nato #CombatEngineers

[WHAT WE DO] Belgian Humanitarian Defence Mission for Gaza. In 2024, Defence carried out several humanitarian operations, including support for the people of Gaza. With B-FAST, essential goods such as food, water and tents were delivered. In March, during Operation Cerulean Skies, we dropped life-saving supplies over Gaza. On 11 September 11 an A400M transported 500 family tents to Jordan, destined for 3000 displaced people in Gaza. 🇧🇪💪 📸 Gert-Jan D'haene #HumanitarianAid #BelgianDefence #GazaSupport #BFast #OperationCeruleanSkies #WhatWeDo

[End Of Year Tour] 🎄🌍 The holiday season is a time for warmth, gathering with family and friends. For our troops on deployment, this time looks a bit different. As tradition goes, the Chief of Defence visits them to express his pride and appreciation for the dedication of our military personnel. 🎖️👏 🇧🇯🇨🇩 This year marked the first ‘End Of Year Tour’ for the new Chief of Defence, General Aviator Vansina. He visited Belgian soldiers in Benin, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Romania and Poland. In each of these countries, our troops are contributing to operations or support missions. 🇷🇴🇵🇱 📸 Gert-Jan D’haene • #belgiandefence #defensie #ladefense #WhatWeDo #visit #operation #military #militarylife #appreciation

[CEREMONY] 🪖Battle of the Bulge From December 12-15, Bastogne commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, a pivotal moment in WWII. Known as the Nuts Weekend, the event drew over 100,000 visitors. One highlight? The iconic « nuts » toss from Bastogne’s City Hall by the King and Queen of Belgium, alongside the Grand Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg, veterans, and Belgian and American officials, commemorating General McAuliffe’s defiant response: “Nuts!” – a symbol of resilience. Visitors can explore immersive WWII reenactments at the War Heritage Institute’s Bastogne Barracks. Highlights include vintage military vehicles like the Sherman Jumbo and King Tiger, as well as exhibits showcasing both historical and modern Defence’s equipment. These commemorations ensure the bravery and sacrifices of 1944 are never forgotten. Let’s keep the memory alive. 🌍   📸 Adrien Muylaert #BattleOfTheBulge #NutsWeekend #WWIIHistory #Bastogne80

🚢 Belgian Navy x Sustainable Fisheries For the first time since Brexit, another country conducted fisheries inspections in UK waters. 🇧🇪 Belgian inspectors led the mission, supported by coastal patrol vessel Castor. 🌊 💡 Nets, quotas, and species protection were checked to ensure sustainable fishing. CO Mikey Sagaert: "Boarding a vessel is the highlight of our training—it’s teamwork at its best." Sustainability starts at sea. 🌍 Full story: LINK IN BIO (BELDEFNEWS) #thebelgiannavy #fishery #inspection #uk #navy

#mythorfact Are our servicemen always in combat when they are deployed in the field? 🤔 Myth 12: "Military missions are all related to armed operations.” Dive into our ‘Myth or Fact’ series to discover the truth 🕵️‍♀️ Stay tuned as we debunk more myths and reveal the real stories! #BelgianDefence #Defensie #LaDéfense #MythOrFact

[What We Do] 🇧🇪💪 International Missions: Our Participation in NATO Operations in 2024. 🌍 In Lithuania, our F-16s guarded the Baltic airspace, with fighter jets on standby 24/7 to respond to any threat within fifteen minutes. Our troops, including the multi-sensor squadron from the @chasseursacheval_jagerstepaard , conducted intelligence and reconnaissance missions alongside the Lithuanian Iron Wolf Brigade. 🇱🇹 The frigate Louise-Marie joined the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1, while the minehunters @m917_crocus and @m921_lobelia participated in the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 as part of @nato’s maritime Response Force. In Romania, the Battalion @1.3lanciers, @bataillon_chasseurs_ardennais , and Battalion @carabiniers_grenadiers played a key role within the battlegroup to enhance NATO’s readiness. 🇷🇴 Together, we keep ensuring the safety and security of our Alliance! 🕊️ #BelgianDefence #Defensie #LaDéfense #NATO #ForwardLandForces #WhatWeDo #Defence #Security

[NITE block training] 🇧🇪 🇵🇹 From November 18 to December 6, the Air & Space Component deployed its F-16s to Monte Real Air Base in Portugal. This collaboration with the local air force focused on tactical exercises. ✈️ This intensive training serves as a crucial preparation for the strategic challenges of tomorrow as part of NATO missions, reflecting a continuous commitment to readiness for Alliance operations. 📸 Lucia Gaggero #Defensie #LaDefense #AirForce #Training #WhatWeDo

-- BACK HOME -- ❓Do you know who Sinterklaas is? Just like him, the crew of Lobelia is back in Belgium today! 🎉 ❄️ After nearly four months of hard work at sea, the sailors were finally reunited with their loved ones. Despite the gray Belgian weather, it feels almost ‘tropical’ compared to the freezing temperatures of the Baltic Sea. 🛡️ Their presence there should not be underestimated. Alongside the frigate Louise-Marie, the minehunter Lobelia played an essential role in the currently tense region. ⏭️ Now it's time for the crew to catch their breath. Meanwhile, the Navy is already laying the groundwork for 2025: the Belgian and Dutch navies will take leading roles in two permanent NATO maritime response forces. The Netherlands will command Standing NATO Maritime Group 1, while Belgium will take the helm of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1. 🤗 Welcome home, Lobelia! #navy #navylife #marine #thebelgiannavy #welcomehome

[What We Do] CERTEX: The Final Step Before Deployment 🌍 Every Belgian service member heading on an international mission in 2024 must complete a CERTEX, an intense certification exercise designed to test their readiness in real-world scenarios. 🎯 From urban warfare to convoy protection, this training ensures our troops are fully prepared for the unexpected. 💪⚔️ Ready to defend peace, no matter the challenge. ✊ 📸 Adrien Muylaert #Defensie #LaDéfense #Defence #BelgianDefence #WhatWeDo #Certex

[TRAINING] A Physical and Mental Challenge for the Special Operations Regiment in Hungary 🇭🇺 For three intense weeks, the Special Operations Regiment (SO Regt) was deployed to the cold Hungarian countryside for Eastern Breeze 2024. Over 600 Belgian troops from the Medical, Land, and Air & Space Components took part in this long-term operation simulation, pushing their physical endurance and mental resilience to the limit. 💪 🎥 Ramzy Bentrad #belgiandefence #defensie #ladéfense #WhatWeDo #special #operation #military #army