349th Squadron is a fighter squadron in the Air Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. The squadron traces its origins to No. 349 (Belgian) Squadron of the Royal Air Force, founded in 1942 as part of the Free Belgian forces during World War II. It was transferred to the re-established Belgian Air Force in 1946, together with 350th Squadron. Considered an "honorary" squadron, it retained its original name and numbering and has been flying under the Belgian flag ever since. Today it is part of the 10th Tactical Wing, operating the F-16 Fighting Falcon from Kleine Brogel airbase.
Spitfire Mark IXCs of No. 349 (Belgian) Squadron, 1943-4.
Spitfire Mk IX in the markings of No. 349 Squadron at the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces in Brussels.
Belgian F-16 Fighting Falcon of 349th Squadron over Afghanistan, 2008.
The Belgian Armed Forces is the national military of Belgium. The King of the Belgians is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces. The Belgian Armed Forces was established after Belgium became independent in October 1830. Since then, the Belgian armed forces have fought in World War I, World War II, the Cold War, Kosovo, Rwanda, Somalia and Afghanistan. The Armed Forces comprise five branches: the Land Component, the Air Component, the Naval Component, the Medical Component and the Cyber Component.
Soldiers of the Corps Expeditionnaire Belge during the Franco-Mexican War
A Belgian machine gun team, 1914
Belgian carabiniers defending Liège in August 1914
Fort Eben-Emael was part of the Fortified Position of Liège and was completed in 1935.
