According to an interview broadcast by Belgian national TV on Sunday, September 13, 2009, Defence minister Pieter de Crem announced that Bierset AB is to close as a military installation. Reason: defence cutbacks and restructuring. Apparently, all military installations running at below 50% of their normal capacity face threat of closure. Belgian military unions and personnel reacted furiously as the minister had visited Bierset only last Tuesday and no mention was made of this plan. Base personnel first heard of it on TV. No further info was given on a date or where the helo's might relocate to AFAIK.