Orcas Name Change from Geilenkirchen to Brunssum

The European Forces Swim League announced the Orcas' name change from Geilenkirchen to the Brunssum Orcas during its League Council last Saturday, May 20th. 

The Orcas was founded in 1987 by Lt Col Ted Dempsey (United States Air Force), a member of German-hosted NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen (E-3A Component). The Orcas first met in a local pool in the city of Geilenkirchen, which unfortunately closed due to a fire the following year. After a short period swimming at the E-3A Component's outdoor pool, the Orcas found a permanent swim home at the nearby NATO Headquarters, Allied Forces Central Europe, Brunssum, the Netherlands in 1989.

Despite relocating their swim home to Brunssum, the Orcas remained chartered in "GK Airbase" and enjoyed several years of generous sponsorship. Circumstances in more recent years found the Orcas reporting to both Brunssum and Geilenkirchen with no particular benefit, which led to severing administrative ties with Geilenkirchen. 

This change is merely administrative and absolutely transparent to swimmers and our families. Not so much to Officials, Statistitians and Coaches who study heat sheets- our initials will change from "GKN" to "BOS" (Brunssum Orcas Swim Team). We are happy to continue to serve the greater BENELUX community which includes all area NATO and non host nation military support activities.