Belgian Beret

The beret of the Belgian Air Component is recognizable by its distinctive gray-blue color. This color distinguishes air force personnel from other components of the Belgian Defense.

Characteristics of the beret

The beret is worn with a specific metal cap badge on the left side. The color of this badge indicates the wearer's hierarchical category:

• Gold (gilt): Worn by officers.
• Silver: Worn by non-commissioned officers.
• Bronze: Worn by enlisted men.

Different beret colors within the Air Component

While gray-blue is the standard, there are exceptions for specific units that fall under or work closely with the Air Component:

• Light blue: This beret was historically worn by the Light Aviation, which later became part of the Air Component.
• Maroon (Wine Red): Worn by soldiers of the Paratrooper units, including the 1st Parachute Battalion, who often use air transport.
• Green: Worn by Commando units.

Wearing and Heraldry

The cap badge of the Air Component typically features symbols such as the royal crown, the Belgian lion, and an eagle with spread wings, symbolizing its connection to the airspace and the Belgian monarchy. The beret itself is a tradition widely adopted within the Belgian Armed Forces after the Second World War.

A.B.L.
Dated: 1986
Size: 56