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Updated: Monday, October 18, 2010 9:35
FLORENNES
The future of the base of Florennes in question?
Source: The Future
Jean-Luc HENRARD
The future of the base of Florennes in question?
17/10/10 The "boss" of the Army regrets leaving Community Colonel Luc Gennart
16/10/10 An officer discovered denounced the "Flemish at" the armée
FLORENNES - For Colonel Luc Gennart the army at the hands of the Flemings would consider closing, ultimately, the basis of Florennes. Explanations.
The output of the base commander of Florennes, Colonel Airman Luke Gennart, denouncing the "Flemish at" the Belgian army (see page 4 of our national list), threw a famous stone in the pond.
In a rare intervention by a senior military on political issues and community, ensures that the colonel "Francophones have nothing to say in the Belgian army."
He states also fear the closure of the base of Florennes and transfer of its F-16 fighters to Kleine-Brogel, in Flanders.
Per 1 230 people
To date, the 2nd Tactical Wing Florennes houses 1230 military personnel.
In addition, the region enjoys florennoise significant economic benefits associated with this large military presence.
The base closure would constitute an economic disaster for this area already hard hit.
About to leave the defense "because it no longer wants me," Colonel Gennart advance several facts that attempt to prove the intent of the General Staff of Florennes close to term.
"In late September, at a high level meeting, it was clearly understood that there would be more in the future, investments made for the base of the 2nd Wing Commander insists basis.
However, an infrastructure as a military airfield in constant need of investment to operate. "
The colonel also recalls a decision "curious" Minister De Crem on the transfer of helicopters Agusta 109 to Beauvechain rather than Florennes.
"At Florennes, following the departure of TLP, we have warehouses and a large area accommodations that could house the unit at no additional cost," he observes.
However, helicopters will go to Beauvechain which will require investment to accommodate them.
And all this was decided by the Flemings at the head of the defense, without any consultation with the heads and body Beauvechain Bierset.
You should also add that the helicopters can not train around Beauvechain and will fly until Ardenne to join a training area. Incomprehensible why this choice to the detriment of basic Florennes and its future? "
An early departure
One could argue that the 2nd Wing will host later this year, the unit implementing the unmanned UAV, formerly based in Elsenborn.
But Colonel Gennart, these drones are outdated and the staff transferred will be limited to no more than 150 people.
"To me it seems increasingly clear that when referring to close a base in the context of the reduction of the Belgian army (it should go from 34 000 to 22 000 men in ten years), the Staff at the hands of the Flemings choose Florennes launches still the commander of the 2nd Wing.
A commander who is preparing to leave the defense to return to civilian life.
Normally, like his predecessors, he stayed three years at the head of his unit and just leave Florennes in September 2011.
But strangely, the staff told him that, some time ago already, he should leave office on 1 December.
