The 2nd Commando Battalion

The 2^nd Commando Battalion  is one of three light airmobile infantry battalion’s which constitute the Belgian Para-Commando Brigade. The battalion has the same organisation and equipment as the 1st and 3rd   Parachutists Battalion.

Personnel

All members of the battalion are fully trained Para-commandos. This means, that they have all successfully completed the commando and para training.

After a period of intense physical and moral training, at the «commando training centre at Marche-Les-Dames, the trainees which successfully completed the course are entitled to wear the Commando brevet. A dagger embroidered on a piece of black cloth represents this brevet. It is worn on the right sleeve of the working uniform, as well as on the right sleeve of the service dress uniform.

Every para trainee needs to complete eight jumps, in order to be awarded the para wings. These jumps must include a night jump,  jumps from a balloon, out of a C-130 aircraft and a jump with full equipment.

Missions

As part of the missions of the Para Commando Brigade, the battalion can :

• be committed to the Allied Command Europe Mobile Force as an Immediate Reaction Force
• take part in the Multi National Division Center contingency as a Rapid Reaction Force
• be part of a Belgian intervention force

In the framework of these allocations the 2nd Commando Battalion can be appointed to:

• execute an airborne and/or airmobile operation
• execute a classical operation, which generally is attributed to a light or mechanised infantry battalion, such as the defense of the national territory
• execute a rescue operation
• execute peace keeping operations

1964 (Congo):	Operation to rescue Belgian and other foreign nationals from Stanleyville and Paulis. The 12th Company of the 2nd Commando Battalion is present during these operations called "Red Dragon" and "Black Dragon".
1978 (Zaire) :	Half the battalion is sent to Zaire to participate in operation "Red Bean".
1979 (Zaire):	The battalion is sent to Zaire to help with the training of the FAZ (Forces Armees Zaïroises).
1990 (Rwanda):	The 2nd Commando Battalion, reinforced by the recce squadron and by one company from the 3rd Battalion Parachutists, takes part in a humanitarian operation, called "Green Beam".
1993 (Somalia):	During four months the battalion participates with other UN forces, in the operations "Restore Hope" and "UNOSOM".
1994 (Rwanda):	The battalion initially goes to Rwanda for a period of four months to participate in the UN operation "UNAMIR 2". After the murder of 10 of their comrades and the commencement of the Rwandan genocide, operation "UNAMIR" comes to a premature end. The battalion subsequently participates in the operation Silver Back during which the 2nd Commando Battalion together with the entire Para Command Brigade, helps in the evacuation of Belgian and other foreign nationals.
1997 (Congo):	The entire battalion participates in operation "GREEN STREAM", with the aim of an eventual evacuation of foreign nationals from the former Zaire.

History

The history of the Belgian para commandos starts in Great Britain during the Second World War. In September 1942, the first volunteers begin rigorous training at Acknacarry in Scotland. After completing their training, they are formed into 4^th Troop/10 Commando, commanded by Captain Danloy. This unit also included members who came from other occupied countries such as France, The Netherlands and Poland. A year later the unit is shipped out to North Africa but upon arrival there is sent to Italy where it comes under 8^th Army command.

In January 1944, the unit is attached to the (US) 5^th Army, and is in action on the Gargliano riverfront. The operations during the winter of 43-44 have given the unit the right to the citation "ITALY". In March of 1944, the Belgian troop joins the 4^th British Commando Brigade, at that time based on the Yugoslavian island of Vis, which also serves as Headquarters for Tito’s partisans. From this island raids are carried out against German shipps in the Adriatic. The unit citation "YUGOSLAVIA" was awarded in recognition for these operations.

In May 1944, the unit returns to England where a number of reinforcements are added to the rolls and training is carried out. A section participates in a raid against the island of d’Yeu off St Nazaire (France). In November 1944, the units participate in the landing on the island of Walcheren. This island, bristling with field guns is a real fortress blocking all traffic on the Schelde river and thereby making it impossible for the allied armies to use the port of Antwerp. This operation results in a third citation "WALCHEREN". On 15 May,  4^th Troop / 10 Commando officially takes on the title of Commando Regiment.

In 1952, all commando and para units are incorporated into the Para-Commando Regiment.
From 1953 onward, this new regiment is completely oriented towards the missions in the Belgian Congo. Every battalion regularly does 4 to 12 month tours in Africa. After operations in Congo, Rwanda and Burundi where during the tumultuous period leading up to independence the regiment keeps public order, and rescues a number of Belgians and other foreign nationals, all Para-Commando units return to Belgium. From 1961 to the present day, the 2nd Commando Battalion is stationed in Flawinne.

Standard

By decision N° 2837 of 26 August 1946 from the Regent Prince, the Commando Regiment is awarded a standard. On 26 October 1946 lieutenant-colonel Danloy receives the standard on behalf of the Regiment from the hands of the Regent Prince.

The standard is now kept by the 2nd Commando Regiment and bears the following citations:

• ITALIE
• YOUGOSLAVIE
• WALCHEREN

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