MONS, Belgium – Belgian military personnel and equipment are on their way to Romania after departing on Saturday, Mar. 5, 2022 to reinforce NATO's defensive posture in the eastern part of the Alliance.
The deployment, part of the activation of the NATO Response Force (NRF), includes troops from the 1st /3rd Lancers Battalion (1/3 Bataillon de Lanciers) based at King Albert Camp in Marche-en-Famenne. The battalion is a motorized infantry unit and part of the land component of the Belgian Armed Forces.
Belgian military personnel and equipment are on their way to Romania after departing on Saturday, Mar. 5, 2022 to reinforce NATO's defensive posture in the eastern part of the Alliance. - Photo by Belgian Defence Forces
"Currently, I am a proud man to see all these vehicles and trucks leaving today," said the Commander of the Motorized Brigade, Colonel Lieven Geeraert. "This is exactly the strength of our defence."
In less than a week, the brigade assembled personnel and equipment for the deployment including tents, medical equipment, logistical supplies as well as fuel and ammunition.
The NRF has been activated for the first time in its history for defensive purposes in response to Russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine, demonstrating NATO's commitment to the protection of its Allies.