Opération Baliste

Opération Baliste was a French aeronaval operation off Lebanon aimed at securing citizens of the European Union in the context of the 2006 Lebanon War.

Components

Opération Baliste employed 1,700 men under Counter Admiral Xavier Magne. The operation was threefold :
* An aerial transport group, composed with one Transall C-160 and 3 Eurocopter Cougar
* A battlegroup of the French Army, including motorised infantry, engineering, ALAT and light armour.
* An amphibious naval group composed with the amphibious operation ships and , and the frigates and . The group had hospital capabilities, combat helicopters, transport helicopters, and landing craft.

History

On 18 August 2006, 14,500 people had been evacuated (including 11,300 French citizens). On 20 August, the amphibious assault ship and the frigate sailed from Toulon to join the theatre and convoy elements from the 2nd and 13th Regiments of Engineering, as well as over 100 engineering vehicles for the UNIFIL

On 3 October, an Israeli fighter penetrated the defence perimeter of the stealth frigate , triggering a diplomatic incident. Israel apologised after official protests from the French government.

References

External links

French Defence Ministry

{{DEFAULTSORT:Baliste, Operation
2006 Lebanon War
Battles involving the French Foreign Legion
France–Israel relations
France–Lebanon relations
Military operations involving France