Unit Name: | EUBG 2014 II EUBG 2014-2 |
Country: | Belgium Germany Netherlands Luxembourg Spain |
Branch: | EU Battlegroup |
Dates: | 1 July 2014 - 31 December 2014 |
Size: | Estimates vary: 2,500; 3,000; 3,500; 3,700. |
Current Commander: | Colonel Philippe Boucké[1] |
EUBG 2014 II or EUBG 2014-2 is an EU Battlegroup consisting of around 3,000 troops from Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, the Netherlands and North Macedonia. It was on standby from 1 July until 31 December 2014.[2] [3]
EUBG 2014 II included approximately 745 Dutch soldiers:[2]
Belgium provided most troops: 1,800 soldiers. It formed a binational Infantry Task Force with the Netherlands, consisting of 4 infantry combat units. The 2 Dutch units were one heavy infantry company and one air-assault company; the 2 Belgian units were one light infantry company on Dingo 2s and a company of Piranha IIICs with DF90 (Direct Fire capability 90mm cannon).[1] The Belgian helicopter group consisted of 6 Agusta 109s.[1]
Germany provided CH-53 “Stallion” transport helicopters.[1]
Spain provided field artillery (155mm cannon), a Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) unit and an air-defence platoon.[1] There was also a team of Belgian and Spanish engineers, and psy ops capabilities.
Luxembourg provided a reconnaissance company.[1]
North Macedonia was an exceptional participant, as the country was, at the time neither an EU nor NATO member.
In late February 2014, EUBG 2014 II held an exercise codenamed "Rampant Lion" in Grafenwöhr, Germany.[1] [4] In June 2014, EUBG 2014 II conducted a training exercise in the Ardennes, codenamed "Quick Lion", to prevent ethnic violence between the "Greys" and the "Whites" in the imaginary country of "Blueland".[5] [6]