French Special Operations & Counter Terrorist Overview

Commandment des Operations Speciales (COS)

COS (Special Operations Command) is joint service unit headquartered at Taverny, and operates under the command of a Major General, or an officer of equivalent rank. COS has no organic units under its direct command, but instead draws on the special operations forces of the three armed services. COS is currently composed of the following units:

Armee de Terre-(Army) Units

The 1er Regiment Parachutiste d'Infanterie de Marine (1er RPIMa)-(1st Marine Parachute Infantry Regiment)-is the French Army's primary special operations unit. The Regiment operates in a manner similar to the US Army's Special Forces, or British SAS. It's tasked with conducting three primary types of missions: special instruction/assistance (Foreign Internal Defense); direct action; and intelligence gathering. It is also capable of conducting counter terrorist operations in conjunction with GIGN.

The Detachment ALAT Operations Speciales (DAOS) (French Army Light Aviation Special Operations Aviation Detachment)-is the French Army's special operations aviation unit. DAOS is currently composed of two special operations helicopter squadrons. The first squadron operates Puma and Cougar transport helicopters, while the second squadron operates Gazelle gunships armed with 20mm cannons. Future plans call for the unit to be equipped with the new Eurocopter Tiger gunship.

Additional Information

The Groupement Special Autonome (GSA)-(Special Autonomous Group) is a separate subcommand with in COS, formed from the1er RPIMa and DAOS. GSA provides a command headquarters for both units, and operates in a function similar to the US Army's Special Operations Command.

*special scout team (2nd R.E.P : Régiment étrangers de parachutistes) of the French foreign legion paratroopers, call "green beret" or "les legios"
specialty : hard skirmishes, sabotage (high value target), recon, P.O.W rescue, psychological action, in phase line or far behind the line of enemy, and defense of vital land army supplies.

*1st paratroopers marine infantry regiment (1er R.P.I.Ma : Régiment de Parachutiste de l'Infanterie de Marine), call "Marsouins" or "black beret"
specialty : Assault on the beach, or on the coast, in the strong point defense of enemy troops

*6th Special French Paratroopers (6ème choc), call "red beret" or "les Paras" specialty : Assault in strong point in phase line.

*Mountains Hunters (Chasseur Alpins)
specialty: Assault, recon on high mountain, or Arctic area

Marine Nationale-(Navy) Units

The "Commandos Marine" of the Navy's Commandement des Fusiliers Marins Commandos (COFUSCO)-(Naval Rifle Commandos) provide COS with its naval special operations component.  Currently there are four naval assault commandos; the Commando Hubert combat diver unit; and the GCMC naval counter terrorist unit assigned to COS.

The four assault commandos are:

Commando Trepel - specialty : Assault on the beach (high value point) and defense of vital Navy supplies.

Commando Jaubert - specialty : sabotage, assault, recon, on the beach and on the coast (high value target) riverine actions, skirmish, psychological actions

Commando de Monfort - specialty : assault on the coast (high value target). and defense vital Navy supplies.

Commando Penfentenyo - specialty : search and rescue (for Navy pilots missing in action on the coast of enemy)

At one time there was also a reserve unit, Commando Francois, but it appears to have been disbanded. Each assault commando is composed of approximately 80 men, which are divided into four sections (Command, Support, Assault, or Reconnaissance). The assault commandos are tasked with performing beach recon, intelligence gathering, ship assaults, small boat operations, POW rescue, CSAR, and acting as shock troops during amphibious operations.

The GCMC (Goupement de Combat en Milieu Clos)-(Close Quarters Combat Group) is a 17 man force is tasked with conducting maritime counter terrorist (CT) missions. It operates in conjunction with Commando Hubert's CT team (B-section).

The Commando Hubert CASM (Commmando Hubert: Commando D'Action Sous Marine)-Comando Hubert: Underwater Action Commando) is the French Navy's combat diver unit. It performs missions similar to the US Navy SEAL's and British SBS. Commando Hubert is divided into two companies. The first company is composed of 50 men divided into four sections

A - section: Command

B - section: Maritime Counter Terrorism

C - section: Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) section

D - section: Recon and Heavy Weapons Support

The second company provides both maintenance and signal support to Commando Hubert's operational units.

Armee de L'Air (Air Force) Units

The French Air Force currently contributes three units to COS. The first of these units is the DOS (Division Des Operations Speciales)-(Special Operations Division). DOS is the Air Force's fixed wing special operations aviation unit. The unit is uses standard Air Force C-130 Hercules, and C-160 Transall transport aircraft. Specially selected pilots, and air crews are trained in at low level flying techniques, and conducting operatins w hile wearing night vision goggles (NVGs).

The second Air Force unit assigned to COS is the Escadrille Des Helicopteres Speciaux(EHS)-(Special Helicopter Squadron). The EHS is the French Air Force's special operations helicopter unit. The squadron is equipped with Puma transport, and Puma gunship helicopters. It performs both special operations, and RESCO- Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) missions in support of French military and allied forces.

The Commando Parachutiste De l'Air10 (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 target designation, pathfinding, and air base defense.

In addition to the various combat units, COS also maintains a large support staff.

In addition to COS each armed service, the Foreign Legion, the National Police, the Gendarmarie, and the DGSE maintain a number of specialist units for conducting special missions, and counter terrorist operations.

Armee de Terre units

13eme Regiment de Dragons Parachutistes(13eme RDP)-(13th Regiment of Dragon Parachutists)- is the French army's Long Range Recon Patrol (LRRP) unit. It's currently composed of seven squadrons, and operates under the control of the Brigade de Renseignment et de Guerre Electronique(BGRE)-(Electronic Warfare and Intelligence Brigade). The unit specializes in operations in Africa, but has recently started focusing on operations in Europe. They are also tasked with supporting COS during joint operations.

The 11eme Divsion Parachutistes (11eme DP)-(11th Parachute Division) Groupement de Commandos Parachutistes(GCP) - (Commando Parachute Group) is specially trained unit of approximately 180 para-commandos. The unit is composed of the division's former Commando de Renseignement et d'Action Profondeur (CRAP)(Deep Recon and Action Commando) teams. They perform LRRP missions, pathfinding, DA, and in extremis hostage rescue operations.

The 11 DP's 17eme Regiment de Genie Parachutiste (17eme RGP)-(17th Parachute Engineer Regiment contains several elite sub-units, which are grouped into two platoons within the support company.

The Section de Rechercheet d'Actions Special (SRAS)-(Special Actions and Search Section) is divided into two sections, the Detachment de Liaison et de Reconnaissance de Genie (DLRG)-

(Engineer Recon and Liaison Detachment), and the Groupe de Recherche Specialise(GRS)- (Specialized Search Group).

The GRS is subdivided into two units. The first is the Neutralisation et Destruction des Explosifs (NEDEX)-(Neutralization and Destruction of Explosives) section which performs EOD duties for the unit. The second unit is Unite Cynophile (Dog Unit), which uses specially trained dogs to detect explosives.

The second unit is the Section Natique d'Intervention Offensive (SNIO)-(Offensive Nautical Intervention Section), which a combat diver trained unit of engineers.

The 2 Regiment Parachutiste d'Infantry de Marine (2er RPIMa) also maintains a small Platoon de Commandos Parachutiste(PCP)-(Parachute Commando Platoon) within it its headquarters company.

Marine Nationale units

The Groupe de Plongeurs-Demineurs (GPD)-(Mine Clearnace Divers Group) is the French Navy's EOD unit.

Legion Entrangere units

2er Regiment Etranger de Parachutists (2er REP)-(2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment)- is one of the French military's quick reaction units. It operates under the administrative of the 11 DP. Each of its combat companies specializes in a different type of combat.

1st Co.- Anti-tank, urban, and night combat

2nd Co.- Amphibious operations

3rd Co.- Mountain warfare

4th Co.- Snipers, and demolition

5th Co.- Maintenance

The Compagnie d'Eclairage et d'Appui (CEA)-(Recon and Support Company)

The Compagnie de Commandement et de Soutien (CCS)(Command and Services Company)

The Detachment d'Intervention Operationale Subaquatique(DINOPS)-(Underwater Operations and Intervention Detachment) is a parachute, and combat diver trained sapper unit assigned to the 6eme Regiment Etranger de Genie(6e REG)- (6th Foreign Engineer Regiment). The unit conducts underwater demolition operations; EOD operations; sabotage operations; beach recon; engineer recon; and assists other during river crossings.

Gendarmerie Special Units

The Gendarmarie Nationale maintains three specialized units that fall under the control of the Groupement Speciale d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale (GSIGN)-(Special Intervention Group of the National Gendermarie).

The Groupement d'Intervention de la Gendarmarie Nationale(GIGN)-(National Gendarmerie Intervention Group) is the French national counter terrorist unit, and is considerd one of the world's top CT units.

The Escadron Parachutiste d'Intervention de la Gendarmarie Nationale (EPIGN)-(National Gendarmerie Parachute Intervention Squadron) is less well known than GIGN. The unit is composed of specially trained Gendarmarie military police. EPIGN supports GIGN, and conducts independent CT and counter insurgency (CI) operations.

Groupe de Securite du President de la Republique (GSPR) - (President of the Republic Security Group) is the French Secret Service, and is responsible for protecting the French President. The unit was originally formed from members of GIGN.

National Police Special Units

Reaction, Assistance, Intervention Dissauder (RAID)-(Reaction, Assistance, Intervention, Dissuasion) is the National Police CT unit.

Groupement Intervention Police Nationale (GIPN)-(National Police Intervention Group) The National police maintain nine "intervention groups" throughout the country, and French territories. They are responsible for handling viloent crimes such as, hostage situations, bank robberies, barricaded suspects, and other situations that normal officers are not trained to handle.

Direction General de la Securite Exterieure (DGSE)