Current Title:	Section d'Appui de la Police Fédérale/Dienst Luchtsteun van de Federale Politie
Title in English:	Belgian Federal Police
Abbreviation:	SAPF/DLFP

Narrative Summary:
The Paramilitary Police, known as the Gendarmerie/Rijkswacht, first used borrowed aircraft in 1950. Aircraft were permanently owned from 1968. The aviation unit was called the Section d'Appui de la Gendarmerie/Dienst Luchtsteun van de Rijkswacht. On 1 January 1992 it lost it's military status and became a civilian policing organisation. On 1 January 2001 it was renamed to it's present title. Aircraft are maintained by the Army on behalf of the Police.

Key Dates:
1950		Gendarmerie starts to use borrowed aircraft.
1968		Gendarmerie aviation unit established.
1 January 2001		Gendarmerie aviation unit renamed to present title.

Current Status:
The Federal Police are primarily involved in border, security and transport policing issues.

Future Plans:
None known.

National Insignia:

          Main markingFin Flash
The main marking is displayed on the fuselage sides of the helicopters, and in the standard 6 positions by fixed wing aircraft. The fin flash is carried by both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. POLITIE service titles are also displayed.

Aircraft Serial Numbering System(s):
The Belgian Federal Police serialling system comprises a two-figure number for each airframe, prefixed by the letter G. The numbers are re-used when a type is retired.

Unit/Base Aircraft Code System(s):
Coding system not used

Aircraft Designation System(s):
None - Manufacturers designations used

Current Aircraft Inventory:

Aircraft Type	Total Del'd	Total Now	Role	Origin
Cessna 182	4	3	Policing	USA
MDH MD520N	2	2	Policing	USA
MDH MD900 Explorer	3	3	Policing	USA

All-Time Aircraft Used List:

Aircraft Type	Quantity	Service Entry	Retirement	Origin
Aerospatiale SA330H Puma	3	1973	1994	France
Britten-Norman BN-2T Islander	1	1993	1995	UK
Cessna 182	3	1994	current	USA
MDH MD520N	2	1999	current	USA
MDH MD900 Explorer	3	1996	current	USA
Sud Aviation SA313B Alouette II	6	1960	1999	France

Aircraft NOT Used:
False reports of aircraft on order or in service: the Cessna 172 is not operated.

Main Headquarters:
Not known.

Current Organisational Structure:
All aircraft are based at Brussels-Melsbroek.

Current Order of Battle:

Squadron	Type	Base
-	Cessna 182, MD520N, MD900	Melsbroek

Historical Orders of Battle:
Not applicable.

All-Time Flying Units List:
Not applicable.

Current Air Bases:
All aircraft and helicopters are operated from Brussels-Melsbroek (the military portion of Zaventem airfield).

All-Time Air Bases Used List:
Not applicable.

Books:

To be added

Magazines:

None known.

Websites:

Official Belgian Federal Police webpage

wikipedia: Rijkswacht

airliners.net
airliners.net

Rijkswacht - Gendarmerie & Federal Police Aircraft