Last week the people of Ostend, who have seen their share of hostilities over the centuries, were treated to the sight of the regiment exercising in the streets of the port town. “It is of crucial importance that we exercise beforehand in an urban environment, where daily life goes on around us,” explained Lt Col Bart Hubrechtsen, the regiment’s commanding officer (who was born in Ostend). “My troops need to be able to react to unforeseen obstacles with an absolute minimum of force. We are not Americans. We have to act with the necessary respect for the local people and culture, rather than just shooting willy-nilly at the people around us.”