Para-Commando Anti-tank Company

Paracommando ATk Company
A CVR(T) Scorpion of the ATk Company in the UN colours used in Somalia.
Active	1963-1994
Country	Belgium
Branch	Land Component
Type	Artillery
Role	Parachute Artillery Support
Part of	Paracommando Brigade
Garrison/HQ	Flawinne

The Para-commando Anti-Tank Company (French: Compagnie Antitank Para-Commando, Dutch: Antitankcompagnie Paracommando), usually shortened to ATk Company was a formation of the Belgian Army and part of the Para-commando Regiment. In 1994, it was merged with the 3rd Lancers Squadron to form the 3rd Parachute Lancers Regiment.

Formation

The ATk Company was formed on March 1, 1963 in the barracks of 2nd Commando Battalion at Flawinne.^[1] The Company was initially equipped with French-made ENTAC missiles mounted on Jeeps, but in 1979 received new MILAN missiles.^[2]

Operations

Somalia

As part of the UNOSOM II mission in Somalia, the ATk Company, equipped with CVR(T) Scorpion tanks, played a significant role in the mission's success. As a United Nations mission, all vehicles were painted white with the Belgian tricolor on the side. The ATk Company was based in the region of Jilib for the duration of its mission from 4 August 1993 to 24 December 1993.^[2][3]

Disbandment

Only one month after returning from Operation Silver Back in Rwanda, the Paracommando ATk Company was amalgamated with the 3rd Squadron of Parachute Lancers to form the 3rd Parachute Lancers Regiment on May 27, 1994.^[2] This move was made as part of the restructuring of the Paracommando Regiment to Paracommando Brigade.

References

1. "Commando - Historique". www.cdomuseum.be. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
2. "Historique de l'Escadron de Reconnaissance Parachutistes devenu". www.mil.be. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
3. "08. 1962-2002 : the Reconversion in Europe.". Commando Museum. Retrieved 15 May 2013.