The Belgian Air Component is the air arm of the Belgian Armed Forces, and until January 2002 it was officially known as the Belgian Air Force. It was founded in 1909 and is one of the world's oldest air services.
Belgique, the first Belgian airship
Sopwith Camel in the colours of the Belgian 1st Squadron
Belgian Fairey Firefly II, 1931
An Agusta A109 of the Air Component
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.