08. 1962-2002 : the Reconversion in Europe.
 

As from 1962, the organisation, the training and the equipment of the Para-Commando Regiment are re-orientated towards the missions of NATO, without however giving up the specific aspects of character and physical formation, nor the tactical and technical Para-Commando training.

Besides the manœuvres and exercises that are characteristic of the Para-commando, the 2nd Commando Battalion works on several occasions with the 1st Belgian Corps in West-Germany or during national manœuvres or in combination with the Forces of the Interior.

To ensure these missions, the Battalion receives an armament, a cartage and material more adapted to Europe. On March 1st, 1963, the Para-Commando Antitank Company (Para-Cdo Atk Co) is created in Flawinne, where it will cohabit with the 2nd Commando Battalion. During this period, the units of the Regiment and, later, of the Brigade, and particularly our "Commandos", will carry out many "humanitarian" missions in AFRICA, ASIA and even in EUROPE.

1964 STANLEYVILLE (RED DRAGON & BLACK DRAGON)

From 24 to 27 November 1964, the 12th company of the 2nd Commando Battalion made up of 134 men (7 Officers, 18 Non-commissioned officers and 109 Corporals and Soldiers) takes part, in reinforcement of the 1st Parachutists Battalion, in the rescue of 2.375 hostages and ensures their safety.

1974 SAHEL (NIGER)

As from 1973, the Para-Cdo Regiment and the 15th Wing will intervene by parachuting 520 tons of food. The purpose of this intervention is to bring help to the nomad populations weakened by a terrible drought which decimates their herds and obliges them to migrate towards the south where they gather in camps.

Afterwards, a detachment of non Para-Commando soldiers under the command of Major L Verstraeten will convey, between August and September 1973, 1.805 tons of food.

The following year, this operation is renewed with personnel coming exclusively from the Para-Commando Regiment.

In March 1974, a column of 18 vehicles will convey from Belgium 40 tons of food with about thirty Para-Commandos of the 3 Para Bn. Two other detachments will follow to fulfil the mission of food transport.

- one of the 1 Para Bn under the command of Major R. Verbeke;

- the other of the 2 Bn Commando under the command of Major J Célis.

1978 KOLWEZI (RED BEAN)

Half of the 2nd Commando Battalion and the Para-Commando Anti-tank company take part in May 1978 in the humanitarian operation in Kolwezi in the SHABA region (ex-Katanga) in order to carry help to the European and Zairean populations.

1979 KITONA (GREEN APPLE)

In February 1979, the 2nd Commando Battalion, under the orders of Lieutenant-colonel PSC DE CLERCK is sent to ZAIRE (ex Belgian Congo) to teach the Units of the Zairean Armed Forces (FAZ) for a period 6 weeks in the camp of Kitona.

1988 ARABIAN GULF (OCTOPUS)

In September 1987, a team made up of 2 men of the Para-Cdo ATk Co (1 non-commissioned officer and a volunteer) takes part in operations in the Persian Golf, as MILAN shooting team on a boat of the Naval Force,.

1990 KIGALI (GREEN BEAM)

In November 1990, under the orders of Lieutenant-colonel VAN DE WEGHE, the whole 2nd Commando Battalion takes part in a humanitarian operation in Rwanda to protect the evacuation of expatriates.

1991 IRAQ (BLUE LODGE)

Personnel of the various Para-Commando units of the Brigade took part from 23 May to 28 June 1991 in the international assistance action "Provide Comfort" set up by the United States in the north of Iraq.

1991 ZAIRE (BLUE BEAM)

From 24 September to 4 November 1991, the Para-Cdo Atk Co takes part in the humanitarian operation in ZAIRE within the Para-Cdo Brigade. It will take part in particular in security and safety missions in Kinshasa, Moanda, Boma, Matadi and Kikwit. From 28 October to 22 November, the 16 Co (120 men) of the 2 Cdo Bn is sent to Libreville in GABON as a reserve for the command of the intervention detachment. If necessary, it could be parachuted in ZAIRE in case a unit escorting an evacuation would be in difficulty. Finally, the Company was not asked to intervene.

1993 BRAZZAVILLE (SUNNY WINTER)

From 20 January to 24 February 1993, the Para-Cdo Atk Co is sent with a detachment of the Para-Cdo Brigade to Brazzaville (ex French Congo) to eventually take part in the evacuation from ZAIRE of our nationals in the event of a new deterioration of the local political situation. After about thirty days "stand-by", and after having been engaged in rear-guard during one week, the unit will be back home.

1993 SOMALIA (RESTORE HOPE- UNOSOM ,II & III)
The 2nd Commando Battalion takes part with the Para-Commando Battery in the second mission in Somalia after the 1st Parachutist Battalion. They are the first units of the Para-Commando Brigade to wear the blue beret of UN, from April to August 1993. The Para-Commando Antitank Company will take part, from August to December 1993, in the third rotation in reinforcement of the 3rd Parachutist Battalion. For this operation, the Para-Cdo Atk Company had been reconverted on CVRT (reconnaissance armoured cars). A reconnaissance platoon in jeep will also be put at the disposal of the 3 Para Bn.

1994 KIGALI (UNAMIR – SILVER BACK)

From 20 March to 21 April 1994, under the orders of Lieutenant-colonel PSC DEWEZ, the whole 2 Cdo Bn takes part in the UN operation UNAMIR in Rwanda once again as blue berets. This mission will end sooner than expected after the slaughter of ten Commandos on April 7.

Despite this shock, the Battalion members will keep their head cool and will play an essential part in the evacuation of expatriates in conjunction with the Para-Commando Brigade. The Para-Cdo Artillery Battery and the Para-Cdo Atk Co will take part in this last operation named "SILVER BACK".