Special Forces Group (Belgium)

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Special Forces Group
Active	1993
Country	Belgium
Branch	Land Component
Type	Special forces
Garrison/HQ	Flawinne

The Special Forces Group is a special forces unit in the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces.

Members of the Special Forces Group are normally selected from the paracommando-units of the Belgian Army. Lately there has been a problem in filling in Army group. For this reason civilians are allowed in the program too. They first have to follow the Paracommando training and then the special Operator SF training. This training consists of twenty weeks of physical and psychological endurance. Physical training, survival techniques, map reading, tactics, radio transmissions, recognition of materials and learning how to fight without any weapons are some of the things the Special Forces learn. In real live situations the SF have to perform reconnaissance and surveillance missions in small groups deep into enemy territory, enact small offensive actions to arrest or free people, or to sabotage or impound materials. They are also trained if necessary to gain intelligence disguised as a civilian.

After the general stage of the training the SF-operator has to choose two specialities. These can be free fall from high altitude with oxygen masks, under water fighting skills or acting in mountainous terrain. Also, they all have to choose a team speciality: specialisation in communications area, explosions, armament, medical training or sniper capabilities.

These days the component of the Belgian Army has trouble filling in the open places in the group.