Latest news with #BelgianArmedForces
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Belgian paratroopers shot during Scottish training exercise
Three Belgian soldiers have been injured in a 'shooting incident' during a training exercise in Scotland, Belgium's defence ministry has said. The casualties were rushed to hospital after being 'seriously injured' in Monday's gunfire. Two are now stable, although one is expected to undergo surgery before being able to return home. The other soldier has already been discharged after only suffering minor injuries. Around another 12 soldiers suffered hearing damage as a result of the incident which is reported to have taken place during a joint military drill at a training centre near Loch Lomond. It is believed to have involved a misfire during a live ammunition exercise. The defence ministry declined to reveal where in Scotland the incident took place. Last week it was reported that around 600 Belgian armed forces personnel were in Moray for a large-scale operation called Red Condor. A spokesman for the defence ministry said: 'On May 12, during Exercise Red Condor currently taking place in Scotland, three Belgian soldiers were injured. 'They received first aid on site and were then transferred to a regional hospital. In addition, around a dozen soldiers suffered hearing damage. 'Defence authorities have confirmed that the two soldiers who were seriously injured are now in stable condition. 'They have already been able to speak with their families. One of them will undergo surgery in Scotland before being repatriated to Belgium.' The families of those injured have been informed, they added. In a post on X, Belgian prime minister Bart De Wever offered his condolences to the injured soldiers and their families. 'I have received the sad news that three soldiers from the Third Parachute Battalion were injured during an exercise in Scotland,' he wrote. 'I wish the injured a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with their loved ones.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Press and Journal
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Press and Journal
Locals warned as Belgian military copters to take to Moray skies - here's when you can spot them
Kinloss Barracks in Moray will host helicopters from the Belgian Armed Forces later this week it has been confirmed. They will arrive at the base on Friday and will stay until May 20. During this period, they will be involved in night flying, which may cause a 'slight disruption' to locals. Aircrews have been briefed to avoid low-level flying over built-up areas and to avoid disrupting birds roosting on Findhorn Bay. The Belgian military arrived at Kinloss Barracks at the weekend. Image: David Hendry. Belgian military helicopters above Moray A founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Belgian military is in the north of Scotland for training exercises. On Saturday, large convoys of Belgian Armed Forces vehicles were spotted entering Kinloss Barracks. The site was an RAF base until 2012. Earlier this week, The Press and Journal revealed an exercise was being conducted by the country's Special Operations Regiment, which is part of Belgium's army (Land Component). The Belgian military on their way to Kinloss. Image: David Hendry. Belgium's Ministry of Defence confirmed they are taking part in a large-scale operation in the UK, which is part of military exercise called Red Condor, with 600 personnel taking part. This is being conducted by the 3rd Parachute Battalion, which is part of the Special Operations Regiment of the Belgian Armed Forces, with support from the Belgian Air Component, the country's equivalent of the RAF. Read more: Just what was a fleet of Belgian army vehicles doing in Kinloss?
Press and Journal
05-05-2025
- General
- Press and Journal
Just what was a fleet of Belgian army vehicles doing in Kinloss?
Large convoys of vehicles belonging to the Belgian Armed Forces were spotted entering Kinloss Barracks on Saturday. They were filmed by Lossiemouth explorer David Hendry, well-known for documenting Second World War sites and finding ageing vehicles. Last July, Mr Hendry made the headlines after finding the oil tank of a Fairey Firefly, a WWII carrier-borne fighter aircraft dated April 1952, near Elgin. On Saturday, he was going back to Lossiemouth after a Star Wars convention in Forres when he spotted the convoy, made up of dozens of vehicles. The Press and Journal can now reveal the footage shows an exercise conducted by the Belgian Special Operations Regiment. Footage shows the army vehicles driving on the B9089. The fleet then turned right into the Kinloss Barracks. The barracks, home to 39 Engineer Regiment, was a Royal Air Force (RAF) base until 2012. The regiment provides engineering and technical support to both the British Army and the RAF. The Belgian Minister of Defence has confirmed that the Belgian Army is taking part of a large-scale operation in the UK. Saturday's convoy was part of a military exercise named Red Condor. It is being conducted by the Belgian 3rd Parachute Battalion, which is part of the Special Operations Regiment of the Belgian Armed Forces, with support from Belgian Air Component helicopters. Approximately 600 personnel are taking part in this exercise in the United Kingdom. The British Army has been contacted for comment.
The National
05-05-2025
- The National
Dozens of Belgian army vehicles spotted near Scottish town
The Press and Journal first reported the sighting, which was captured by local explorer David Hendry in Moray. The footage shows dozens of vehicles from the Belgian Armed Forces, which were spotted driving on the B9089 and entering the Kinloss barracks, near the town of Forres. READ MORE: John Swinney condemns Rangers fans over 'unacceptable' Celtic match banner The Belgian Minister of Defence has reportedly confirmed that the Belgian army is there to take part in a large-scale operation called Red Condor. It is being conducted by the Belgian 3rd Parachute Battalion with support from Belgian Air Component helicopters. The Press and Journal reports some 600 personnel are involved.
