Belgian Air Force

18 Squadron

Arès Leonidas

18 Sq MRH

Established 2004

History Mali2018

From 2014, 18 Squadron MRH will operate 4 NH.90 TTHs (RN05 to RN08) at Beauvechain. The unit current Agusta A109s will be transfered to 17 Squadron.

The Squadron was renamed from MRH (Multi Role Helicopter) to MSH (Multi Support Helicopter) after the arrival of the NH90s.

The unit deployed two NH-90 Caimans to Mali on 5 Feb 2018, after the NH-90 fleet had achieved Limited Operational Capability status.

News

Belgium NH90 TTH in Jeopardy

Jun 27, 2020 · After only six years of operations, Belgium is about to ground the four NH90 TTH helicopters citing too expensive, too few spare parts and too few personnel problems
Belgian NH90 Returned From Mali

Jul 6, 2018 · The Belgian Detatchment of 2 NH90 deployed to Gao, Mali since last March as part of peacekeeping mission MINUSMA returned home by AN-124. They were replaced by Canadian Griffons
Belgian NH90 First Deployment to Africa

Sep 12, 2017 · Belgian NH90 Caiman helicopters perform first ever mission on African continent when deployed 4 weeks to Gabon to participate in exercise Tropical Storm supporting the paratroopers of the Light Brigade
Belgian NH90 Achieved Initial Operational Capability

May 14, 2015 · Belgian NH90 MTH ((Medium Transport Helicopter) assigned to 18 Squadron achieved their Initial Operational Capability (IOC)

Locations

2004-2010	EBLG LGG	Liège / Bierset
2010-	EBBE	Beauvechain / Bevekom

Models

2004-2014	SABCA A109BA
2013-	NH Industries NH90

Operations

20 May 20152015		THPU 2015
14 Nov 20162016	02 Dec 20162016	Black Blade 2016
11 Sep 20172017	15 Oct 20172017	Exercise Tropical Storm
05 Feb 20182018	30 Jun 20182018	MINUSMA

Airframes (6)

Reg	Model	C/N	Built
H25	a109ba	0325	1993
H37	a109ba	0337	1993
H40	a109ba	0340	1993
RN05	tth	1257	2012
RN06	tth	1296
RN07	tth	1297

@ (optional)