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Belgium

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Capital: Brussels
Area: 30,528 sq km
Comparative area: about the size of Maryland
Population (July 2011 estimate): 10,431,477
Official language: Dutch, French and German
International Organizations and Agreements: NATO, European Union, United Nations, Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE)



The United States and Belgium are good friends and allies. Good will and affection for Americans is widely held as a result of the U.S. role during and after the two World Wars, as was exhibited in 2004 during the 60th anniversary commemorations of the Battle of the Bulge and the liberation of Belgium. Annual celebrations of liberation are held in many Belgian communities today.

Belgium works closely with the United States bilaterally and in international and regional organizations to encourage economic and political cooperation and assistance to developing countries. Belgium remains a strong proponent of both NATO and European defense efforts.

Both NATO (since 1966) and the EU have their headquarters in Brussels; SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, NATO's military headquarters) is in the south of the country, near Mons.

Belgium is the host to the primary European security and economic institutions, NATO and the European Union. The nation participates in the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan; humanitarian, reconstruction, and development assistance to Africa, Iraq, and Afghanistan; peacekeeping missions in the Balkans and Lebanon; frequent provision of airlift in international crises; and hosting transatlantic dialogues between European foreign ministers and the U.S. Secretary of State.

More than 1,200 American military personnel are stationed at four major and several other locations throughout Belgium including assignments with SHAPE, NATO support activities, the 309th Airlift Squadron at Chievres, and Kleine Brogel Airbase. There are Acquisition Cross-Service and Status of Forces Agreements in place with Belgium.

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  • July 25, 2011

    Libya Update

    NATO is conducting operations over Libya to support UN resolutions 1970 and 1973, which call for establishing an arms embargo, instituting a "no-fly" zone, and protecting the civilian population of Libya. These missions are going reasonably well, particularly the no-fly zone and arms embargo which are both clear mission successes.
  • May 17, 2011

    Commencement season is upon us...

    Good morning. Good morning especially to the Class of 2011.
  • November 25, 2009

    “Smart” Engagement with the “Capital of Europe”

    Last week, I spent two days in Brussels attending two European Union conferences “EU Smart Power” and “Energy Security” and got the chance to visit with my counterparts at the EU Military Staff. 
  • July 20, 2009

    Back to sea!

    The NATO Sea Day – held only once every two years – was an unqualified success. The object is to bring to sea the key decision makers in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization: the Secretary General and his Deputy; the entire Permanent Representatives from NATO’s decision-making body, the North Atlantic Council (all 28 nations of course have an ambassador-rank official assigned to Brussels); the Military Committee (each Chief of Defense – those of us from the U.S. would say Chairman of the Joint Chiefs – is a member, and each has a full-time, very senior representative in Brussels); and key personnel from the operational staff, i.e. Allied Command Operations / Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe.
  • July 2, 2009

    Back to Europe!

    This is my first blog as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe and Commander of U.S. European Command. I am the first Admiral to assume these two jobs, and the fifteenth officer in a line stretching back to General Dwight D. Eisenhower.

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  • May 18, 2012

    European Tanker Symposium

    NATO forces must work together during global military conflicts and seamless integration isn’t possible without training and an exchange of ideas. Enter the European Tanker Symposium; where members of the Royal Air Force as well as Italian, French, and Belgian air forces talk shop to increase NATO’s Air Power. SSgt Lance Daigle reports.
  • April 13, 2012

    Training allied nurses for deployment

    NATO allies often train together to strengthen their skills and enhance our ability to work side by side. A1C Shane Mitchell tells us about a class in Landstuhl, Germany, that helps prepare Belgian nurses to be ready for any emergency situation.
  • February 28, 2012

    Special Operations troops bridge language barriers

    It may be a challenge, but communicating in the same language, when it comes to military tactics, is the key to any NATO mission. SGT Joshua Blair takes us to SHAPE, Belgium, to meet the troops at the tip of the spear.
  • February 23, 2012

    Fallen Twelve

    Every year ceremonies are held throughout Belgium that honor American forces. SGT Vincent Pedican tells us about a group of fallen Soldiers whose memory continues to live on to this day.
  • December 19, 2011

    International Combatives

    While fighting an enemy military force has become very high-tech, troops never know when they'lll find themselves in a situation where the fight will go hand-to-hand. Airmen of the Belgian Air Component came to Sembach, Germany, to train at Regional Training Center Creek Defender with U.S. troops.
  • December 16, 2009

    German POW recalls Battle of the Bulge

    In the final of the Battle of the Bulge special series, we meet a WW II German soldier who became a U.S. prisoner of war during the Battle of the Bulge.
  • December 15, 2009

    65 Anniversary of Battle of the Bulge

    65 Anniversary of Battle of the Bulge
  • December 15, 2009

    Cemetery in Belgium

    A cemetery in Belgium is the final resting place for some 7,000 U.S. service members who died during WWII. Army Sgt. Michael Cox explains why a group of non-commissioned officers stationed there are visiting the gravesites.
  • December 11, 2009

    Polishing the Big Guns

    Special series commemorating the 65th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge by meeting a man, in Belgium, who made it his life's passion to restore old WWII tanks.
  • December 4, 2009

    65th Anniversary of the liberation of Belgium

    This year marks the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Belgium. All across the country, there are events that commemorate and celebrate the allied victory. TSgt Jamie Leake introduces us to one man being honored for his efforts in preserving history.

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