Light Brigade (Belgium)

Light Brigade
Active	1 December 1948
Country	Belgium
Branch	Land Component
Headquarters	Marche-en-Famenne

The Light Brigade, formerly the 7th Mechanised Brigade, is a Brigade of the Land Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. Its headquarters is located in Marche-en-Famenne.

Organisation

Light Brigade

Special Forces

2 Commando

3 Paratroopers

12/13 Linie

Parachute Training Centre

Commando Training Centre

Light Brigade locations

• Light Brigade in Marche-en-Famenne
  • Headquarters and Staff Company, carrying the traditions of the 4th Commando Battalion in Marche-en-Famenne
  • 12th Battalion of the Line "Prince Léopold"/13th of the Line in Spa
  • 2nd Commando Battalion in Flawinne
  • 3rd Paratroopers Battalion in Tielen
  • Special Forces Group in Heverlee
  • Parachute Training Centre at Schaffen Air Base
  • Commando Training Centre in Marche-les-Dames

History

The 7th Brigade was founded on 1 December 1948 as the 7th Infantry Brigade and took over the traditions of the 7th Mixed Brigade, which was established on 31 July 1914 and disbanded on 1 February 1918. Throughout its history, the 7th Brigade has had many different names. From 1957 to 1961 it was known as the 7th Infantry Group, from 1961 to 1969 as the 7th Infantry Brigade again, from 1969 to 1994 as the 7th Armoured Infantry Brigade and from 1994 to 2004 as the 7th Mechanised Brigade. In 2004 it was formally renamed the 7th Brigade. In 2011 it was merged with the Immediate Reaction Cell to form the Light Brigade.