9 Squadron (Belgian Air Force)
Encyclopedia
9 Squadron is a training squadron of the Belgian Air Component, constituting the Basic Flying Training School
together with 5 Squadron.
, which was founded in February 1916 as the first dedicated fighter squadron of the Aviation Militaire Belge.
On 1 March 1918, while stationed at Les Moëres
aerodrome near Veurne, it would be reorganized into the 9ème Escadrille and become part of Belgium's first fighter wing, the Groupe de Chasse
. The squadron continued to use the equipment and personnel of the 1ère Escadrille
. 9ème Escadrille also inherited the "Thistle" symbol and motto “Nemo me impune lacessit
” or “No-one can challenge me unpunished”. The squadron's fleet consisted largely of Hanriot-Dupont 1
s, supplemented by a some Sopwith Camel
s.
The 10ème Escadrille and 11ème Escadrille
were the other squadrons of the Group, also known as the Groupe Jaquet, after its Commanding Officer, Capitaine Fernand Jacquet
. Headed by Capitaine Walter Gallez, 9 Squadron counted a number of famous fighter pilots amongst its ranks: Willy Coppens
(who was also the first Belgian pilot to use the “Cocotte” on his aircraft), Jan Olieslagers
, André de Meulemeester
.
near the Dutch border in October 1918.
At the end of the war, 9ème Escadrille was credited with 51 verified aerial victories, 41 of which were enemy observation balloons. In turn, it suffered three pilots wounded in action
or captured.
, in the outskirts of Brussels. In 1919, they moved again to Schaffen near Diest
to be integrated in 2nd Group. The squadron equipment was augmented by Fokker D-VII
aircraft, yielded by the Germans as compensation for damages during WWI. In March 1920, 9 Squadron was equipped with SPAD XIII
aircraft, and together with 10 Squadron, made up 4th Group. Still at Schaffen, the Squadron received their new Nieuport-Delage 29 aircraft in July 1922, only to be transformed into 2 Squadron sometime during 1924.
In 1935, the Squadrons at Bierset were re-organised into 9 Squadron and 11 Squadron
of the 5th Group of the 1st Aeronautical Regiment. Initially still equipped with Bréguet XIX
, they soon received the Belgian Renard R 31
monoplane
. Their mission changed from Bombardment to Observation. As of 1938, the “Sioux” symbol appeared on the aircraft, designed by Roger Delannay. On 9 Squadron aircraft the "Sioux" was surrounded by a blue circle. The squadron motto was "Tenacity".
Commanded by Captain Lekeuche, 9 Squadron took an active part in the 18 days campaign
. On the morning of the 10, 9 May Squadron rejoined its diversion airfield at Duras, few hours before Bierset was bombarded by Dornier 17
's of the Luftwaffe
. 9 Squadron was one of three squadrons that continued to fight until the surrender on 28 May 1940. Both "Sioux" squadrons (9 and 11) combined executed 54 combat missions, for a loss of three pilots and 11 aircraft.
, 9 Squadron was resurrected under the command of Commander Demey. The other units of 7th Wing were 7 Squadron and 8 Squadrons. The Squadron crest represented the “Cocotte”, originally painted on Willy Coppens
’ Nieuport 17
in 1917, but this time in silver on a green background. The associated motto was selected by Major Coppens
in its French form “Boutez en avant” in 1936, and translated to the English “Get In” by 7th Wing Commander Major Van Lierde
. Starting on Gloster Meteor
F8 on 17 March 1952, the Squadron transformed to Hawker Hunter
F4 in June 1956, only to be disbanded on 15 March 1957.
, together with 7 Squadron and 11 Squadron
. Its mission was to convert the new Instructor Pilots on the CM170 Fouga Magister
, Lockheed T-33 and SF260 SIAI-Marchetti aircraft. The latter being employed at Goetsenhoven
, the Squadron operated a detachment at that airfield. Although having received a new designation, the name of the former unit assuming the squadron’s mission, “FFM” (Flight de Formation des Moniteurs) stuck until well into the next century.
During the following years, the most noteworthy changes were the replacement of the CM170
and T-33 by the Dassault Alpha-Jet as from January 1980 and the transformation of the unit into the Training and Evaluation Center of the Instruction and Training Command on 28 June 1985. Although keeping the same insignia and still being in charge of the training of new instructors, the unit was now a Staff section, detached in the training units. It became more involved in the standardization of the training. On request of the Instruction Command, regular “STANEVAL” inspections were carried out.
In 1993, the Air Force’s SF260M were supplemented by 9 SF260D, that were equipped more extensively for instrument flying. Subsequently, the squadron’s expert instructors developed a training course for the benefit of those requiring an introduction to civilian IFR flying. This mission also remains with the squadron until the present day.
, a former air defense base. A few years later, on 12 September 2000, the Air Force’s Tactical and Training Commands merged into COMOPSAIR, and the TEC was transferred into the structure of 1st Wing
. Meanwhile, its instructors took an active part in the integration process of the Alpha Jet avionics update.
Although the insignia of the “Green Cocotte” had survived the different changes in organization, the “shadow” squadron number had slipped into oblivion. In early 2001, on request of the CO, Major Conte, the unit obtained once more its squadron number.
Nevertheless, on 30 August 2001, the Squadron is disbanded, and the mission of Training and Evaluation Center is taken over by 7 Squadron.
From 2001 to 2005, the Training and Evaluation Centre existed as part of the 1st Wing
Staff. Although continuing to supervise the training process, the different courses were taken over by the training squadrons. After the move of the Alpha-Jets to Cazaux in 2004, on 14 November 2005, the TEC returned to being a flying unit, and started once more training the new instructors on SF260.
Slowly, the unit continued to evolve, first by taking on the IFR course again, later by hosting and supervising the Flying duties of several Staff Officers. This task became even more important after the phasing out of the Fouga Magister
in September 2007. To acknowledge the unit’s status as a flying squadron, it received the traditions and insignia of 9th Squadron on 21 February 2008.
, based at Bierset, moved to Beauvechain on 1 September 2010. The name and traditions of 1st Wing
were handed over to the helicopter unit.
Both training squadrons (5 and 9) now constitute the Basic Flying Training School
. Still based at Beauvechain, this school is now independent of 1st Wing
.
Basic Flying Training School (Belgian Air Component)
The Basic Flying Training School is a unit of the Belgian Air Component located at Beauvechain Air Base. It consists of 5th Squadron and 9th Squadron. Both operate the SF 260 "M" & "D" models....
together with 5 Squadron.
The squadron's origins
The 9ème Escadrille de Chasse was originally the 1ère Escadrille de Chasse1st Squadron (Belgium)
The 1st Squadron is a fighter squadron in the Air Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. It is part of the 2nd Tactical Wing and operates F-16 Fighting Falcons.The 1ière Escadrille de Chasse was the first fighter squadron of the Belgian Air Component...
, which was founded in February 1916 as the first dedicated fighter squadron of the Aviation Militaire Belge.
On 1 March 1918, while stationed at Les Moëres
Les Moëres
De Moeren or Les Moëres are a marshy region in the Westhoek, politically divided between the French-Belgian border. At one time the area was inhabited by the Gallic people known as the Morini; they are believed to have lent their name to the territory.For many centuries, beginning around 800,...
aerodrome near Veurne, it would be reorganized into the 9ème Escadrille and become part of Belgium's first fighter wing, the Groupe de Chasse
Groupe de Chasse
The Groupe de Chasse was Belgium's first dedicated Fighter Wing. It was created in March 1918 at Les Moëres aerodrome near Veurne. On request of King Albert I, Capitaine Fernand Jacquet was appointed Commanding Officer, and the Groupe de Chasse also became known as the Groupe Jaquet...
. The squadron continued to use the equipment and personnel of the 1ère Escadrille
1st Squadron (Belgium)
The 1st Squadron is a fighter squadron in the Air Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. It is part of the 2nd Tactical Wing and operates F-16 Fighting Falcons.The 1ière Escadrille de Chasse was the first fighter squadron of the Belgian Air Component...
. 9ème Escadrille also inherited the "Thistle" symbol and motto “Nemo me impune lacessit
Nemo me impune lacessit
Nemo me impune lacessit is the Latin motto of the Order of the Thistle and of three Scottish regiments of the British Army. The motto also appears, in conjunction with the collar of the Order of the Thistle, in later versions of the Royal coat of arms of the Kingdom of Scotland and subsequently in...
” or “No-one can challenge me unpunished”. The squadron's fleet consisted largely of Hanriot-Dupont 1
Hanriot HD.1
|-References:* Bruce, J.M. The Hanriot HD 1 Leatherhead: Profile Publications* Cheesman E.F. Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War Letchworth, Harletford Publications, 1960 pp. 82-83- External links :*...
s, supplemented by a some Sopwith Camel
Sopwith Camel
The Sopwith Camel was a British First World War single-seat biplane fighter introduced on the Western Front in 1917. Manufactured by Sopwith Aviation Company, it had a short-coupled fuselage, heavy, powerful rotary engine, and concentrated fire from twin synchronized machine guns. Though difficult...
s.
The 10ème Escadrille and 11ème Escadrille
11 Squadron (Belgian Air Force)
11 Squadron is a training squadron of the Belgian Air Component, deployed at Base Aérienne 120 at Cazaux in France, in the scope of the Advanced Jet Training School .-The squadron's origins:...
were the other squadrons of the Group, also known as the Groupe Jaquet, after its Commanding Officer, Capitaine Fernand Jacquet
Fernand Jacquet
Captain-Commandant Fernand Maximillian Leon Jacquet was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories. He was the first Belgian pilot to score an aerial victory, on 17 April 1915, and became the first Belgian ace on 1 February 1917. He was also the first Belgian pilot to fly his...
. Headed by Capitaine Walter Gallez, 9 Squadron counted a number of famous fighter pilots amongst its ranks: Willy Coppens
Willy Coppens
Willy Omer Francois Jean Coppens was Belgium's leading fighter ace and the champion "balloon buster" of World War I.-Background and Early Military Service:...
(who was also the first Belgian pilot to use the “Cocotte” on his aircraft), Jan Olieslagers
Jan Olieslagers
Lieutenant Jan Olieslagers was a Belgian motorcycle and aviation pioneer who set world records with both types of machinery. He became a flying ace during World War I despite his indifference in claiming victories; he was credited with six confirmed victories, seventeen unconfirmed, and an unknown...
, André de Meulemeester
André de Meulemeester
Lieutenant Andre Emile Alfons de Meulemeester was a Belgian flying ace during World War I. He was credited with eleven confirmed and seventeen unconfirmed aerial victories.-World War I:...
.
Operations
During the initial years of WWI, the Aviation Militaire Belge was based in the diminished remnant of a small country, and performed largely in support of a defensive army. Only in September 1918 did the Belgian Army advance. To support the offensive, 9ème Escadrille moved to MoerkerkeMoerkerke
Moerkerke is a town in the Belgian province West Flanders and a part of the city of Damme-External links:*...
near the Dutch border in October 1918.
At the end of the war, 9ème Escadrille was credited with 51 verified aerial victories, 41 of which were enemy observation balloons. In turn, it suffered three pilots wounded in action
Wounded in action
Wounded in action describes soldiers who have been wounded while fighting in a combat zone during war time, but have not been killed. Typically it implies that they are temporarily or permanently incapable of bearing arms or continuing to fight....
or captured.
Between the wars
After the armistice, 9 Squadron was stationed at Sint-Agatha-BerchemSint-Agatha-Berchem
Sint-Agatha-Berchem or Berchem-Sainte-Agathe is one of the nineteen municipalities located in the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium.The municipality had a total population of 20,078 on 1 January 2006...
, in the outskirts of Brussels. In 1919, they moved again to Schaffen near Diest
Diest
Diest is a city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. Situated in the northeast of the Hageland region, Diest neighbours the provinces of Antwerp to its North, and Limburg to the East and is situated around 60km from Brussels. The municipality comprises the city of...
to be integrated in 2nd Group. The squadron equipment was augmented by Fokker D-VII
Fokker D.VII
The Fokker D.VII was a German World War I fighter aircraft designed by Reinhold Platz of the Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. Germany produced around 3,300 D.VII aircraft in the summer and autumn of 1918. In service, the D.VII quickly proved itself to be a formidable aircraft...
aircraft, yielded by the Germans as compensation for damages during WWI. In March 1920, 9 Squadron was equipped with SPAD XIII
SPAD S.XIII
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Bruce, J.M. The Aeroplanes of the Royal Flying Corps . London: Putnam, 1982. ISBN 0-370-30084-X.* Sharpe, Michael. Biplanes, Triplanes, and Seaplanes. London: Friedman/Fairfax Books, 2000. ISBN 1-58663-300-7....
aircraft, and together with 10 Squadron, made up 4th Group. Still at Schaffen, the Squadron received their new Nieuport-Delage 29 aircraft in July 1922, only to be transformed into 2 Squadron sometime during 1924.
In 1935, the Squadrons at Bierset were re-organised into 9 Squadron and 11 Squadron
11 Squadron (Belgian Air Force)
11 Squadron is a training squadron of the Belgian Air Component, deployed at Base Aérienne 120 at Cazaux in France, in the scope of the Advanced Jet Training School .-The squadron's origins:...
of the 5th Group of the 1st Aeronautical Regiment. Initially still equipped with Bréguet XIX
Breguet 19
The Breguet 19 was a light bomber and reconnaissance plane, also used for long-distance flights, designed by the French Breguet company and produced from 1924.-Development:...
, they soon received the Belgian Renard R 31
Renard R-31
-See also:-Bibliography:* Green, William. War Planes of the Second World War, Volume Seven: Bombers and Reconnaissance Aircraft. London: Macdonald & Co. Ltd., 1967. ISBN 0356-01477-0....
monoplane
Monoplane
A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with one main set of wing surfaces, in contrast to a biplane or triplane. Since the late 1930s it has been the most common form for a fixed wing aircraft.-Types of monoplane:...
. Their mission changed from Bombardment to Observation. As of 1938, the “Sioux” symbol appeared on the aircraft, designed by Roger Delannay. On 9 Squadron aircraft the "Sioux" was surrounded by a blue circle. The squadron motto was "Tenacity".
Second World War
Just before the outbreak of WWII, 11 Squadron was assigned to 6th Group. 9 Squadron remained the only flying unit in the 5th Group which was now under command of Commander Breulhez. To improve mobility and the possibility of deployed operations, each group comprised a maintenance squadron, a field train of about 25 vehicles, and an anti-aircraft unit of 40mm Bofors guns.Commanded by Captain Lekeuche, 9 Squadron took an active part in the 18 days campaign
Battle of Belgium
The Battle of Belgium or Belgian Campaign formed part of the greater Battle of France, an offensive campaign by Germany during the Second World War...
. On the morning of the 10, 9 May Squadron rejoined its diversion airfield at Duras, few hours before Bierset was bombarded by Dornier 17
Dornier Do 17
The Dornier Do 17, sometimes referred to as the Fliegender Bleistift , was a World War II German light bomber produced by Claudius Dornier's company, Dornier Flugzeugwerke...
's of the Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
. 9 Squadron was one of three squadrons that continued to fight until the surrender on 28 May 1940. Both "Sioux" squadrons (9 and 11) combined executed 54 combat missions, for a loss of three pilots and 11 aircraft.
Cold War
After the war, with the creation of the 7th Day Fighter Wing at ChièvresChièvres Air Base
Chièvres Air Base is a United States Air Force airfield located in the Belgian town of Chièvres and about 12 miles from Headquarters, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe , in Casteau. It is mainly used to provide logistic support to NATO and SHAPE...
, 9 Squadron was resurrected under the command of Commander Demey. The other units of 7th Wing were 7 Squadron and 8 Squadrons. The Squadron crest represented the “Cocotte”, originally painted on Willy Coppens
Willy Coppens
Willy Omer Francois Jean Coppens was Belgium's leading fighter ace and the champion "balloon buster" of World War I.-Background and Early Military Service:...
’ Nieuport 17
Nieuport 17
|-Specifications :-See also:-Bibliography:* Bruce, Jack. "Those Classic Nieuports". Air Enthusiast Quarterly. Number Two, 1976. Bromley, UK:Pilot Press. pp. 137–153....
in 1917, but this time in silver on a green background. The associated motto was selected by Major Coppens
Willy Coppens
Willy Omer Francois Jean Coppens was Belgium's leading fighter ace and the champion "balloon buster" of World War I.-Background and Early Military Service:...
in its French form “Boutez en avant” in 1936, and translated to the English “Get In” by 7th Wing Commander Major Van Lierde
Remy Van Lierde
Colonel Remy Van Lierde, DFC & two bars, was a Belgian pilot who served during World War II in the Belgian and British Air Forces, shooting down six enemy aircraft and 44 V-1 flying bombs, and achieving the RAF rank of Squadron Leader...
. Starting on Gloster Meteor
Gloster Meteor
The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' first operational jet. It first flew in 1943 and commenced operations on 27 July 1944 with 616 Squadron of the Royal Air Force...
F8 on 17 March 1952, the Squadron transformed to Hawker Hunter
Hawker Hunter
The Hawker Hunter is a subsonic British jet aircraft developed in the 1950s. The single-seat Hunter entered service as a manoeuvrable fighter aircraft, and later operated in fighter-bomber and reconnaissance roles in numerous conflicts. Two-seat variants remained in use for training and secondary...
F4 in June 1956, only to be disbanded on 15 March 1957.
Sint Truiden
In 1971, a thorough revision of the Air Force training system called for the creation of new training squadrons. Re-created on 16, 9 November Squadron became part of the “Perfectioning Center” at BrustemSint-Truiden Air Base
Sint-Truiden Air Base is a Belgian Air Component base, located south of Sint-Truiden , approximately east of Brussels ....
, together with 7 Squadron and 11 Squadron
11 Squadron (Belgian Air Force)
11 Squadron is a training squadron of the Belgian Air Component, deployed at Base Aérienne 120 at Cazaux in France, in the scope of the Advanced Jet Training School .-The squadron's origins:...
. Its mission was to convert the new Instructor Pilots on the CM170 Fouga Magister
Fouga Magister
The Fouga Magister is a 1950s French two-seat jet trainer. The related CM.175 Zéphyr was a carrier-capable version for the French Navy....
, Lockheed T-33 and SF260 SIAI-Marchetti aircraft. The latter being employed at Goetsenhoven
Goetsenhoven Military Airfield
Goetsenhoven Military Airfield is a Belgian Air Component base, located south of Tienen , approximately east-southeast of Brussels ....
, the Squadron operated a detachment at that airfield. Although having received a new designation, the name of the former unit assuming the squadron’s mission, “FFM” (Flight de Formation des Moniteurs) stuck until well into the next century.
During the following years, the most noteworthy changes were the replacement of the CM170
Fouga Magister
The Fouga Magister is a 1950s French two-seat jet trainer. The related CM.175 Zéphyr was a carrier-capable version for the French Navy....
and T-33 by the Dassault Alpha-Jet as from January 1980 and the transformation of the unit into the Training and Evaluation Center of the Instruction and Training Command on 28 June 1985. Although keeping the same insignia and still being in charge of the training of new instructors, the unit was now a Staff section, detached in the training units. It became more involved in the standardization of the training. On request of the Instruction Command, regular “STANEVAL” inspections were carried out.
In 1993, the Air Force’s SF260M were supplemented by 9 SF260D, that were equipped more extensively for instrument flying. Subsequently, the squadron’s expert instructors developed a training course for the benefit of those requiring an introduction to civilian IFR flying. This mission also remains with the squadron until the present day.
1 Wing
On 19 November 1996, all training units were moved to Beauvechain Air BaseBeauvechain Air Base
Beauvechain Air Base is a Belgian Air Component military airfield in Belgium, located south of Beauvechain ; east-southeast of Brussels...
, a former air defense base. A few years later, on 12 September 2000, the Air Force’s Tactical and Training Commands merged into COMOPSAIR, and the TEC was transferred into the structure of 1st Wing
1st Wing (Belgium)
The 1st Wing is a wing in the Air Component of the Belgian Armed Forces, located at Beauvechain Air Base.-Training Wing:The 1st Fighter Wing was disbanded in 1996, with 349 Squadron and the Operational Conversion Unit moving to Kleine Brogel Air Base. 350 Squadron moved to Florennes Air Base...
. Meanwhile, its instructors took an active part in the integration process of the Alpha Jet avionics update.
Although the insignia of the “Green Cocotte” had survived the different changes in organization, the “shadow” squadron number had slipped into oblivion. In early 2001, on request of the CO, Major Conte, the unit obtained once more its squadron number.
Nevertheless, on 30 August 2001, the Squadron is disbanded, and the mission of Training and Evaluation Center is taken over by 7 Squadron.
From 2001 to 2005, the Training and Evaluation Centre existed as part of the 1st Wing
1st Wing (Belgium)
The 1st Wing is a wing in the Air Component of the Belgian Armed Forces, located at Beauvechain Air Base.-Training Wing:The 1st Fighter Wing was disbanded in 1996, with 349 Squadron and the Operational Conversion Unit moving to Kleine Brogel Air Base. 350 Squadron moved to Florennes Air Base...
Staff. Although continuing to supervise the training process, the different courses were taken over by the training squadrons. After the move of the Alpha-Jets to Cazaux in 2004, on 14 November 2005, the TEC returned to being a flying unit, and started once more training the new instructors on SF260.
Slowly, the unit continued to evolve, first by taking on the IFR course again, later by hosting and supervising the Flying duties of several Staff Officers. This task became even more important after the phasing out of the Fouga Magister
Fouga Magister
The Fouga Magister is a 1950s French two-seat jet trainer. The related CM.175 Zéphyr was a carrier-capable version for the French Navy....
in September 2007. To acknowledge the unit’s status as a flying squadron, it received the traditions and insignia of 9th Squadron on 21 February 2008.
Basic Flying Training School
After a further re-organisation of the Belgian Armed Forces, the A109BA helicopters of the Wing HeliWing Heli
The Wing Heli was a helicopter wing in the Air Component of the Belgian Armed Forces.-Mission:The mission of the Wing Heli is to intervene in order to provide aid to the nation, urgent humanitarian aid and armed support on the national territory, to evacuate Belgian nationals from areas of crisis...
, based at Bierset, moved to Beauvechain on 1 September 2010. The name and traditions of 1st Wing
1st Wing (Belgium)
The 1st Wing is a wing in the Air Component of the Belgian Armed Forces, located at Beauvechain Air Base.-Training Wing:The 1st Fighter Wing was disbanded in 1996, with 349 Squadron and the Operational Conversion Unit moving to Kleine Brogel Air Base. 350 Squadron moved to Florennes Air Base...
were handed over to the helicopter unit.
Both training squadrons (5 and 9) now constitute the Basic Flying Training School
Basic Flying Training School (Belgian Air Component)
The Basic Flying Training School is a unit of the Belgian Air Component located at Beauvechain Air Base. It consists of 5th Squadron and 9th Squadron. Both operate the SF 260 "M" & "D" models....
. Still based at Beauvechain, this school is now independent of 1st Wing
1st Wing (Belgium)
The 1st Wing is a wing in the Air Component of the Belgian Armed Forces, located at Beauvechain Air Base.-Training Wing:The 1st Fighter Wing was disbanded in 1996, with 349 Squadron and the Operational Conversion Unit moving to Kleine Brogel Air Base. 350 Squadron moved to Florennes Air Base...
.