Colonel Erik A. CLAESSEN is a Belgian Army logistics officer. He holds a Master of Science degree in electromechanical engineering from the Royal Military Academy in Brussels and a Master of Military Art and Science degree from the Command and General Staff College in Ft Leavenworth, Kansas. He has twenty years of experience in operational logistics, depot level maintenance and weapon systems procurement as well as five years of experience in strategy development. He is also a writer who publishes regularly on contemporary armed conflicts. Erik A. CLAESSEN is currently the Chief of the Project Team International Programs within the Land Systems Division of the Belgian Joint Staff. As a daily user of the Brompton folding bicycle he feels a special tie to this part of the London area.