French Army Special Forces Command

French Army command charged with overseeing special forces units

French Army Special Forces Command
Commandement des forces spéciales Terre
Badge of the BFST
Active1 July 2002 - 30 June 2016 (brigade)
1 July 2016 (Command)
Country France
Branch French Army
TypeSpecial Forces
Garrison/HQPau, Pyrénées-Atlantiques France
ColorsBlue and Red
AbbreviationCOM FST
Military unit

The Army Special Forces Command (French: Commandement des forces spéciales Terre, COM FST) regroups the various special operations forces units of the French Army and is the command charged with overseeing them. It is based in Pau, Pyrénées-Atlantiques.

History

The COM FST is the heir of the Independent Special Grouping (Groupement Spécial Autonome, GSA) created in 1997 and then commanded the 1er RPIMa and a special operations flight belonging to the 4th command and manoeuvre helicopters regiment (4e Régiment d'Hélicoptères de Commandement et de Manœuvre, 4e RHCM) of the ALAT.[1]

In 1998, the Détachement ALAT des Opérations Spéciales (DAOS, ALAT detachment for special operations) was created.

The brigade des forces spéciales Terre (BFST) was activated on 1 July 2002 and included the 13e RDP. The BFST conduct an annual exercise called Gorgones (gorgons) to ensure interoperability of the three units. The name Gorgones refers to the three units, as the three mythological figures.

The BFST has supported the peacekeeping operation in Côte d'Ivoire (Opération Licorne) and Afghanistan (Mission Héraclès).

The brigade des forces spéciales Terre became the commandement des forces spéciales Terre (COM FST, division level) on 1 July 2016.[1] It was replaced by the Special Actions Command Terre as of January 2024.[1]

Structure

  • Army Special Forces Command

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c https://armyrecognition.com/defense_news_january_2024_global_security_army_industry/france_s_ground_forces_introduce_special_actions_command_cast.html

External links

  • ShadowSpear Special Operations Community Website
  • v
  • t
  • e
  • 1st Mechanised Brigade
  • 2nd Armoured Brigade
  • 3rd Mechanised Brigade
  • 6th Light Armoured Brigade
  • 7th Armoured Brigade
  • 9th Light Armoured Marine Brigade
  • 11th Parachute Brigade
  • 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade
  • Franco-German Brigade
  • Brigade de Renseignement
  • Brigade de Transmissions
  • Brigade Logistique