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REPORT & PHOTOS BY MICHIEL PEETERS
T
he Land Component is the biggest component of the Belgian Defence in terms of men. The
component is composed of the motorised brigade, the special operations regiment, a mili-
tary police unit, an information operations unit, a movement control group, four training
camps and an instruction centre for land troops.
In total, there are about 10,600 men and women serving in the component. Their mission is the
preparation and training for foreign missions. The Land Component permanently deploys hun-
dreds of servicemen in operations anywhere in the world; both on land, in the air and at sea. Their
missions include providing support in Afghanistan, support the Iraqi army and the coalition in
Iraq, support in Mali, boarding at sea and participation in military partnership programs in several
African countries.
With its 35 units, the Land Component is involved in numerous international operations and car-
ries out a wide range of missions. On Belgian territory the land troops can provide support to the
population and they are responsible for defending the country.
Their motto is therefore hence: "With people, amongst people, for the people", because a soldier
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