FRENCH SPECIAL OPERATIONS
1er RPIMa
In spite of its name, the 1er RPIMa (RPIMa stands for Naval Infantry Paratrooper Regiment) does belong to the French army. The Naval Infantry background dates back to 1762 when units of the French army were detached to the French navy for ship borne and overseas duties. The 1er RPIMa is the inheritor of the traditions ... FULL STORY
13eme Regiment de Dragon Parachutistes (13 RDP)
The 13 RDP (13eme Regiment de Dragon Parachutistes) is currently the French Army's LRRP (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol) unit. Originally raised in 1676 as a cavalry unit, it continued in this role until 1963, when it acquired its current mission. The Regiment is subordinate to the BGRE (the French Army's military intelligence and electronic warfare ... FULL STORY
Commando Parachutiste De l'Air 10 (CPA10)
The Commando Parachutiste De l'Air 10 (CPA 10)(Commando Parachute Group No. 10) is the third Air Force unit assigned to COS. Composed of a specially trained group of French "Air Commandos", the unit performs missions similar to those conducted by USAF Special Tactics units- (Recherche et Sauvetage au Combat(RESCO-CSAR), airfield seizure, forward air control, laser ... FULL STORY
Commando Hubert
Commando Hubert is a combat swimmer unit assigned to the French Navy's COFUSCO. The unit is tasked with conducting maritime special operations in support of the French Navy and intelligence services, primarily the DGSE (the French foreign intelligence directorate). The unit was initially raised during WWII as a commando-trained naval infantry unit. When first organized, ... FULL STORY
Commando Jaubert
Commando Jaubert is one of 5 Naval Special Forces units including Commando Hubert, de Montfort, Trepel, and De Penfentenyo. The total number of all these commandos is about 400 men. Each commando (unit) is composed of about 80 men, divided into four sections with 20 elements each. The marine commandos each have some specific capabilities: ... FULL STORY
Commando Trepel
Commando Trepel is one of 5 Naval Special Forces units including Commando Hubert, Jaubert, de Montfort, and De Penfentenyo. The total number of all these commandos is about 400 men. Each commando (unit) is composed of about 80 men, divided into four sections with 20 elements each. The marine commandos each have some specific capabilities: ... FULL STORY
Commando de Montfort
Commando de Montfort is one of 5 Naval Special Forces units including Commando Hubert, Jaubert, Trepel, and De Penfentenyo. The total number of all these commandos is about 400 men. Each commando (unit) is composed of about 80 men, divided into four sections with 20 elements each. The marine commandos each have some specific capabilities: ... FULL STORY
Commando De Penfentenyo
Commando De Penfentenyo is one of 5 Naval Special Forces units including Commando Hubert, Jaubert, de Montfort, and Trepel . The total number of all these commandos is about 400 men. Each commando (unit) is composed of about 80 men, divided into four sections with 20 elements each. The marine commandos each have some specific ... FULL STORY
ECTLO
The Escouade de Contre-Terrorisme et de Libération d'Otages (ECTLO, "counter-terrorist and hostages rescue squad"), formerly named Groupe de Combat en Milieu Clos' (GCMC, "close quarters combat group") is a special operations group of the French Navy specialized in maritime anti-terrorism. It is mainly composite of circa 30 men, split in two groups of 15 people, ... FULL STORY
Escadron Parachutiste d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale (EPIGN)
The EPIGN (Escadron Parachutiste d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale) is the parachute-trained intervention squadron of the French Gendarmerie. The unit was formed in 1984, and is currently 139-men strong. These are divided between four platoons of 30-35 men each, plus a HALO/HAHO-qualified platoon. Known Operations Its missions are generally large-scale operations against terrorism and organized crime. It ... FULL STORY
Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale (GIGN)
The GIGN (Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale) is the French Gendarmerie's elite counter-terrorism and hostage rescue unit. It is composed of 120 men, including 11 officers. It is considered to be one of the world's best counter-terrorism units. Its missions include the arrest of gunmen, in particular those taking hostages, counter-terrorism, including airplane hijacking or ... FULL STORY
Recherche Assistance Intervention Dissuasion (RAID)
Recherche Assistance Intervention Dissuasion (Research, Assistance, Intervention, Deterrence) is the counter-terrorist unit of the French National Police. It the roughly the police equivalent of the GIGN (which is a Gendarmerie unit). RAID was founded in 1985, in response to a bombing and murder campaign. RAID is unique among police special units in that it recruits directly ... FULL STORY
CA Fields AN/PRC-152
FORT BRAGG, NC – They may not be the best thing since sliced bread, but in the radio world of the foot Soldier, the Harris ... FULL STORY
