Photo of the Day captures the Belgian Army’s Special Operations Regiment during Tropical Storm, a recurring multinational exercise conducted in Central Africa in cooperation with Gabonese authorities. Now in its fifth iteration, the exercise is designed to prepare a rapidly deployable task force capable of operating autonomously in demanding tropical environments. Time for the FN SCAR to meet the FAMAS.
The images document a full-spectrum training scenario observed by Belgian and Gabonese senior defense leadership. The day began with airborne insertions from an A400M, followed by reconnaissance teams deploying drones to assess terrain and threats.
Combat divers then established access points for assault elements, setting conditions for a coordinated close-combat phase and a precisely executed helicopter extraction.
Additional sequences highlight abseiling operations, arrest techniques, and defensive close-combat drills conducted by instructors from the Commando Training Centre in Marche-les-Dames. These skills were trained jointly with Gabonese soldiers, emphasizing realistic execution under operational stress.
Beyond the tactical demonstrations, Tropical Storm focused on interoperability and partnership. By training together in austere conditions, Belgian and Gabonese forces strengthen shared procedures and coalition readiness, key elements for modern expeditionary operations.
All images by Adrien Muylaert. Special Operations Regiment - Belgian Army