Paracommando Brigade (Belgium)

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=Paracommando Brigade


caption=Belgian Paracommando Brigade Logo
dates=1 November 1991-2003
country=Belgium
branch=Land Component
command_structure=Brigade
type=Airborne
role=Airborne assault
size= circa 2500 men
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garrison=Evere
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The Paracommando Brigade ("Dutch/French: Brigade Paracommando") was an elite fighting force in the Belgian Land Component, consisting of three Paracommando battalions plus several support units (one artillery battery, one anti-aircraft artillery battery, one logistics company, one engineer company, one medical company and an intelligence unit).

The brigade was disbanded in 2003 and replaced with the new "Immediate Reaction Cell (IRC)" which now groups all airborne personnel into three airborne infantry battalions, but does away with the independent support units typical of a brigade structure. Support units have been re-attached to regular battalions, but have retained some airborne capacity. The IRC has its headquarters in Heverlee. The three remaining airborne infantry battalions are located as follows:

* 1 Paratroop Battalion in Diest

* 2 Commando Battalion in Flawinne

* 3 Paratroop Battalion in Tielen

Although these battalions refer to either paratroopers or commandos, all troops have received the same training and perform the same duties. Individual battalion traditions cause units to have different designators, beret colours and insignia. The Commando's wear green berets, the Para-Commando's wear crimson berets, inspired by the ancient Greek Spartans, which symbolises their dedication, loyalty, physical and mental fitness and will to fight.