The history of French

airborne Airborne or Airborn may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Films * ''Airborne'' (1962 film), a 1962 American film directed by James Landis * ''Airborne'' (1993 film), a comedy–drama film * ''Airborne'' (1998 film), an action film sta ...

units began in the

Interwar period In the history of the 20th century, the interwar period lasted from 11 November 1918 to 1 September 1939 (20 years, 9 months, 21 days), the end of the World War I, First World War to the beginning of the World War II, Second World War. The in ...

when the

French Armed Forces The French Armed Forces (french: Forces armées françaises) encompass the Army, the Navy, the Air and Space Force and the Gendarmerie of the French Republic. The President of France heads the armed forces as Chief of the Armed Forces. Franc ...

formed specialized

paratroopers A paratrooper is a military parachutist—someone trained to parachute into a military operation, and usually functioning as part of an airborne force. Military parachutists (troops) and parachutes were first used on a large scale during Worl ...

units. First formed in the

French Air Force The French Air and Space Force (AAE) (french: Armée de l'air et de l'espace, ) is the air and space force of the French Armed Forces. It was the first military aviation force in history, formed in 1909 as the , a service arm of the French Army; ...

, they were rapidly integrated into the

French Army The French Army, officially known as the Land Army (french: Armée de Terre, ), is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces. It is responsible to the Government of France, along with the other components of the Armed For ...

French Navy The French Navy (french: Marine nationale, lit=National Navy), informally , is the maritime arm of the French Armed Forces and one of the five military service branches of France. It is among the largest and most powerful naval forces in t ...

National Gendarmerie The National Gendarmerie (french: Gendarmerie nationale, ) is one of two national law enforcement forces of France, along with the National Police. The Gendarmerie is a branch of the French Armed Forces placed under the jurisdiction of the Minis ...

and from the

British Armed Forces The British Armed Forces, also known as His Majesty's Armed Forces, are the military forces responsible for the defence of the United Kingdom, its Overseas Territories and the Crown Dependencies. They also promote the UK's wider interests, s ...

. Some were later included in the postwar

French Army

Parachute and airborne divisions

* 24th Airborne Division (24^e DAP, 25th Motorized Infantry Division 25^e DIM, then 25th Airborne Division 25^e DAP). * 25th Airborne Division (25th Motorised Infantry Division 25^e DIM; then, 25th Airborne Division 25^e DAP dissolved). * 25th Parachute Division (25th Parachute Division 25^e DP, dissolved). * 10th Parachute Division (10th Parachute Division 10e DP, dissolved). * 11th Light Intervention Division (11th Light Intervention Division 11^e DLI formed from 10th Parachute Division 10^e DP and 25th Parachute Division 25^e DP). * 11th Division (11th Division 11^e DIV formed from merger of 11th Light Intervention Division 11^e DLI and 9^e Brigade 9^e BDE). * 11th Parachute Division (11th Division 11^e DIV, then 11th Parachute Division 11^e DP). * 11th Parachute Brigade (11th Parachute Division 11^eDP, then 11th Parachute Brigade 11^e BP).

Parachute Brigades and Groups

* The 11th Parachute Brigade (11^e B.P) of the French Army includes: **

Commando Parachute Group The Commando Parachute Group (french: Groupement des Commandos Parachutistes, GCP) is a unit of elite pathfinders within the French Army's 11th Parachute Brigade (France), 11th Parachute Brigade (11e BP). These pathfinders are paratroopers drawn ...

(G.C.P Teams) *** 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment, (1^er RCP) (G.C.P

commando Royal Marines from 40 Commando on patrol in the Sangin">40_Commando.html" ;"title="Royal Marines from 40 Commando">Royal Marines from 40 Commando on patrol in the Sangin area of Afghanistan are pictured A commando is a combatant, or operativ ...

Teams). *** 1st Parachute Hussar Regiment, (1^er RHP) (G.C.P Teams). *** 1st Train Parachute Regiment (1^er RTP). ***

2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment The 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (french: 2e Régiment étranger de parachutistes, 2e REP) is the only airborne regiment of the Foreign Legion in the French Army. It is one of the four infantry regiments of the 11th Parachute Brigade and part o ...

, (2^e REP) (G.C.P Teams). ***

3rd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment The 3rd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (french: 3e Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine, 3e RPIMa) is an airborne infantry regiment of the French Army. It is heir to the 3rd Colonial Commando Parachute Battalion created in 1948 an ...

, (3^e RPIMa) (G.C.P Teams). ***

8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment The 8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (french: 8e Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine, (8e RPIMa) is an airborne regiment of the French Army. The 8e RPIMa was created on 28 February 1951 and the men wear the red beret. It is par ...

, (8^e RPIMa) (G.C.P Teams). *** 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment, (7^e RGP) (G.C.P Teams). *** 35th Parachute Artillery Regiment, (35^e RAP) (G.C.P Teams). * Airborne Groupment, GAP ().

Parachute Demi-Brigades

* SAS Parachute Demi-Brigade (D-B.P-SAS, later 1^er RPIMa). * Colonial Parachute Commando Demi-Brigade (D-B.CCP, later 1^er RPIMa). * 1st Colonial Parachute Commando Demi-Brigade () (1^re DBCCP, later 1^er RPIMa). * 2nd Colonial Parachute Commando Demi-Brigade (2^e DBCCP, later 1^er RPIMa). * Parachute Marching Demi-Brigade () (DBMP - dissolved). * 11th Parachute Choc Demi-Brigade ( 11^e Demi-Brigade Parachutiste de Choc) (11^e D-B.PC - dissolved).

Parachute centers of formation and schools

* ) (BETAP), Base School of Airborne Troops . * School of Airborne Troops (ETAP). * School Brigade of Colonial Paratroopers. * National Parachute Instruction Center (NPIC)

Orléans Orléans (;"Orleans"
(US) and

Legion parachute companies, battalions and regiments

Parachute Company of the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment A parachute is a device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag or, in a ram-air parachute, aerodynamic lift. A major application is to support people, for recreation or as a safety device for aviators, who ...

(C.P. du 3e R.E.I. attached to the III^e/1^er R.C.P - dissolved then 1^er B.E.P). * Foreign Air Supply Company (CERA - dissolved). *

1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company The 1st Foreign Parachute Heavy Mortar Company () was an ephemeral foreign airborne heavy mortar company of the Foreign Legion which fought during the First Indochina War at the corps of the French Far East Expeditionary Corps. History In ...

(1re C.E.P de M.L - dissolved). * 1st Foreign Parachute Battalion (1e BEP, III Formations; then, 1^er R.E.P - dissolved). *

1st Foreign Parachute Regiment The 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment (french: 1er Régiment Etranger de Parachutistes, 1er REP) was an airborne regiment of the Foreign Legion in the French Army which dated its origins to 1948. The regiment fought in the First Indochina War as th ...

(1e REP - dissolved). *

3rd Foreign Parachute Battalion The 3rd Foreign Parachute Battalion (french: Foreign Legion formed based on the Parachute Instruction Company (C.I.P) of the 7th combat company of the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Foreign Regiment">1st Foreign Infantry Regiment. History, Creation a ...

(3^e B.E.P, IV Formations with 1^er B.E.P and 2^e B.E.P; then, 3^e R.E.P - dissolved). *

3rd Foreign Parachute Regiment The 3rd Foreign Parachute Regiment () was a parachute regiment of the French Foreign Legion, Foreign Legion in the French Army and previous 3rd Foreign Parachute Battalion, (List of French paratrooper units, 3e BEP) from September 1, 1955, to Decem ...

(3^e R.E.P - dissolved, merged with 2^e B.E.P, then 2^e R.E.P). *

2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion The 2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion (french: 2e Bataillon Étranger de Parachutistes, 2e B.E.P) was a parachute battalion of the Foreign Legion in the French Army initially composed of volunteers of the 4th Demi-Brigade of the Foreign Legion ...

(2^e B.E.P, V Formations with 3^e B.E.P then 2^e R.E.P - dissolved). *

, 2^e R.E.P,Official Website of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment
/ref> (

Teams) File:Cie para 3REI.JPG, C.P du 3^e R.E.I in the 1^er B.E.P and 1^er R.E.P File:Insigne1erBEP.jpg, 1^er B.E.P File:Insigne 2e régiment étranger de parachutistes.jpg, 2^e B.E.P File:Insigne3REP.jpg, 3^e B.E.P & 3^e R.E.P File:Insigne du 1° REP.jpg, 1^er R.E.P File:Insigne 1°CEPML.jpg, 1^re C.E.P de M.L of the 1^er B.E.P File:CERA.JPG, C.E.R.A

Parachute (Airborne) Commandos of the Foreign Legion

Parachute

Commando Royal Marines from 40 Commando on patrol in the Sangin">40_Commando.html" ;"title="Royal Marines from 40 Commando">Royal Marines from 40 Commando on patrol in the Sangin area of Afghanistan are pictured A commando is a combatant, or operativ ...

s of the 11th Parachute Brigade (11^e BP) include: *

(2^e REP) ** GCP Teams (

, french: Groupement des Commandos Parachutistes), these

Airborne Airborne or Airborn may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Films * ''Airborne'' (1962 film), a 1962 American film directed by James Landis * ''Airborne'' (1993 film), a comedy–drama film * ''Airborne'' (1998 film), an action film sta ...

Commandos are elite operational

pathfinder Pathfinder may refer to: Businesses * Pathfinder Energy Services, a division of Smith International * Pathfinder Press, a publisher of socialist literature Computing and information science * Path Finder, a Macintosh file browser * Pathfinder ( ...

units specializing in

Reconnaissance In military operations, reconnaissance or scouting is the exploration of an area by military forces to obtain information about enemy forces, terrain, and other activities. Examples of reconnaissance include patrolling by troops (skirmisher ...

and Deep Action. Parachute, Underwater Demolition and Diving Units of the 6th Light Armoured Brigade (french: 6^e Brigade Légère Blindée, 6^e BLB) include: * 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1^er REG) ** PCG Teams (Combat Engineer Divers, french: Plongeurs du Combat du Génie), former DINOPS Teams of Nautical Subaquatic Intervention Operational Detachment specialized in Parachute, Underwater Demolition and Diving. Parachute, Underwater Demolition, Diving Units and Commandos of the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade (27^e MIB) include: *

2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment The 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment (french: 2e Régiment Etranger de Génie, 2e REG) is one of two combat engineer regiments of the Foreign Legion in the French Army. The regiment provides the combat engineering component of the 27th Mountain I ...

(2^e REG) ** PCG Teams (Combat Engineer Divers, french: Plongeurs du Combat du Génie), former DINOPS Teams of Nautical Subaquatic Intervention Operational Detachment specialized in Parachute, Underwater Demolition and Diving. ** Mountain Commando Groups (GCM) File:Insigne 27e brigade d'infanterie de montagne.svg, 27^e B.I.M , 2^e R.E.G

Troupes de Marine

Marine Infantry Parachute Regiments

1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment The 1er Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine ( en, 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment) or 1er RPIMa is a unit of the French Army Special Forces Command, therefore part of the Special Operations Command. Heirs to the Free Frenc ...

( 1^re CIA, 1^re CP, PPL, 1^re CCP, French SAS, 1^er BIA, 4^e BIA, 2^e RCP or 4th French SAS, 1^er BC.SAS, 1^er BP.SAS, 2^e BP.SAS, 1^er BPARA.SAS, 1^er BCCP, 1^er GCCP, 1^er BPC, 1^re D-B.P.SAS, D-B.CCP, D-B.CCP.SAS, 1^re DBCCP, 2^e DBCCP, B.P.Colonial

BPC BPC may refer to: * Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, a government tourism organization of Bangladesh *'' Bâtiment de projection et de commandement'' (projection and command ship), the ''Mistral'' class of amphibious assault ships *Battery Park Ci ...

, BEPC, BP-OM, B.P.I.Ma, then 1^er R.P.I.Ma part of COS). *

2nd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment The 2nd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (french: 2e Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine, 2e RPIMa) is an airborne regiment of the French Army created in 1947. The regiment is heir to the traditions of the 2nd Colonial Command ...

(2^e BCCP, 2^e B.P.Colonial 2^e BPC, 2nd Colonial Parachute Regiment 2^e RPC, then 2^e RPIMa). *

(3^e BCCP, 3^e GCCP, 3^e BCCP, 3^e B.P.Colonial 3^e BPC, 3rd Colonial Parachute Regiment 3^e RPC, then 3^e RPIMa), (

Teams). * ( (5^e BPIC, 5^e BCCP, 5^eBPC, 5^e BPIMa - dissolved). *

6th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment The 6th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (french: 6e Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine, 6e RPIMa ) is an airborne infantry unit of the French Army. Creation and different nominations since 1951 * May 16, 1948: creation at ...

(6^e BCCP, 6^e GCCP, 6^eB.P.Colonial 6^e BPC, 6th Colonial Parachute Regiment 6^e RPC, then 6^e RPIMa - dissolved). * ) (7^e BCCP, 7^eGCCP, 7^e BCCP, 7^e BPC, 4^eBCCP, 7th Colonial Parachute Regiment 7^e RPC, 7^e RPIMa, then 7^e RPCS - dissolved). *

(8^e B.P.Colonial 8^e BPC, 8^e GCP, 8^e B.P.Choc 8^e BPC, 8th Colonial Parachute Regiment 8^e RPC, then 8^e RPIMa), (

Teams).

Battalions and Colonial Parachute Groups

* 1st Colonial Parachute Commando Battalion (1e BCCP, 1e GCCP, 1e BPC, then B.P.C.). * 2nd Colonial Parachute Commando Battalion (2e BCCP, 2e GCCP, 2e BPC, then 2e RPC). * 3rd Colonial Parachute Commando Battalion (3e BCCP, 3e BPC, then 3e RPC, 3e RPIMa). * 4th Colonial Parachute Commando Battalion (4e BCCP - dissolved). * 5th Colonial Parachute Infantry Battalion (5e BPIC - dissolved). * 5th Colonial Parachute Commando Battalion (5e BCCP then 5^e BPC - dissolved). * 6th Colonial Parachute Commando Battalion (6e régiment parachutiste d'infanterie de marine) (6^e BCCP, 6^e GCCP then 6^e BPC, then 6^e R.P.C - 6^e R.P.I.Ma). * 7th Colonial Parachute Commando Battalion (7e BCCP, 7e GCCP then 7e BPC - dissolved). * 8th Colonial Parachute Battalion (8^e Bataillon de Parachutistes Coloniaux) (8^e BPC, then 8^e R.P.C - 8^e R.P.I.Ma). * 10th Colonial Parachute Battalion (10e BPC). * Colonial Group Parachute Commando of Madagascar (GCCP Madagascar - dissolved). * Colonial Group of Parachute Commandos of Afrique équatoriale française AEF (GCCP AEF - dissolved). * Marine Infantry Parachute Company (CPIMA and 6^e CPIMa - dissolved). File:Insigne du 1° BCCP.jpg, 1^er B.C.C.P File:Insigne du 2° BCCP.jpg, 2^e B.C.C.P File:Insigne du 3e BCCP.jpg, 3^e B.C.C.P File:Insigne du 3° RPC.jpg, 3^e R.P.C File:Insigne du 5° BPIC.JPG, 5^e B.P.I.C File:Insigne du 5° BCCP.JPG, 5^e B.C.C.P File:Insigne du 6° BCCP.jpg, 6^e B.C.C.P File:Insigne du 7° BCCP.jpg, 7^e B.C.C.P File:Insigne du 8° BPC.jpg, 8^e B.P.C File:Insigne du 8e GCP.JPG, 8^e G.C.P File:Insigne du 8e RPC.JPG, 8^e R.P.C File:Insigne du 10° BPC.jpg, 10^e B.P.C File:Insigne du GCCPM.JPG, G.C.C.P.M File:Insigne du GCCP AEF.jpg, G.C.C.P A.E.F File:Insigne de la CPIMA.JPG, C.P.I.Ma

Parachute Artillery

* 5th Airborne Artillery Campaign Regiment (20^e RAP, 5^e RAP, 5^e RACAP - dissolved). * 6th Light Parachute Artillery Regiment (6^e RALP - dissolved). * 20th Light Parachute Artillery Regiment (20^e RALP - dissolved; then, 20th Parachute Group Artillery, 20^e GAP - dissolved). * 35th Parachute Artillery Regiment (35^e R.A, 35^e RALP, then 35^e RAP), (

Teams). File:Insigne régimentaire du 5e Régiment d’Artillerie de Campagne Aéroporté.jpg, 5^e R.A.C.A.P File:Insigne régimentaire du 35e régiment d'artillerie parachutistes.jpg, 35^e R.A.P

Parachute Cavalry

* 1st Parachute Hussar Regiment ( 1^er RHP), (

Teams). *

13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment The 13e Régiment de Dragons Parachutistes ( en, 13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment) or 13e RDP is a special reconnaissance regiment of the French Army. It is a unit of the French Army Special Forces Command, the latter itself being under the Spec ...

( 13^e RDP). File:Insigne régimentaire du 1er régiment de hussards parachutistes.jpg, 1^er R.H.P File:Insigne du 13e RDP.jpg, 13^e R.D.P

Parachute Engineer

* 17th Parachute Engineer Battalion (17^e BGAP - dissolved). * 61st and 71st Parachute Engineer Battalions of the

Far East The ''Far East'' was a European term to refer to the geographical regions that includes East and Southeast Asia as well as the Russian Far East to a lesser extent. South Asia is sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons. The ter ...

(Extrême-Orient) (61^e BG and 71^e BG - dissolved). * 60th, 61st and 75th Parachute Engineer Companies (60^e CGAP, 61^e CGAP, 75^e CGAP - dissolved). * 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment ( 17^e RGAP, then 17^e RGP), (

Teams).

Parachute Infantry

Patrol Chasseurs

* (5^e BCAP, 5th Patrol Chasseur Battalion - dissolved). * ) (10^e BPCP, 10th Patrol Chasseur Battalion - dissolved). File:5° BCAP.jpg, 5^e B.C.A.P File:10° BPCP.jpg, 10^e B.P.C.P

General Parachute Infantry

* (18^e RIPC, "18th Parachute Infantry Regiment" - dissolved). * (21^e RIAP, " 21st Parachute Infantry Regiment " - dissolved).

French Air Force Commando de l'Air, Parachute Chasseur, British Army Special Air Service (S.A.S) & 1^er R.P.I.Ma

* 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment / 1st Air Infantry Battalion (french: 1^e Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes) (601^e G.I.A, 602^e G.I.A, 1^re C.I.A, 1^er BCP, then 1^er RCP), (

Teams). *

2nd Parachute Chasseur Regiment The 2nd Parachute Chasseur Regiment (french: 2e Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes) or 2e RCP, is one of the most decorated French units of the Second World War, the only land unit awarded the red fourragère in that war, including six citation ...

/4th Air Infantry Battalion (french: 2^e Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes) (4^e BIA, 2^e RCP SAS, then 1^er RPIMa ''French''); also known as 4th Special Air Service of

British Army The British Army is the principal land warfare force of the United Kingdom, a part of the British Armed Forces along with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. , the British Army comprises 79,380 regular full-time personnel, 4,090 Gurk ...

and assigned to Special Air Service Troops). *

3rd Parachute Chasseur Regiment The 3rd Parachute Chasseur Regiment (french: 3e Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes) or 3e RCP was a French unit of Second World War known in the British Army as the 3rd SAS Regiment and originally named the 3rd Air Infantry Battalion. Involved ...

/3rd Air Infantry Battalion (french: 3^e Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes) (3^e BIA, 3^e RCP, 2^e RCP SAS, then 1^er RPIMa ''French''); also known as 3rd Special Air Service of British Army and was assigned to Special Air Service Troops). * 4th Parachute Chasseur Regiment (french: 4^e Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes), (4^e RCP - dissolved). * 5th Parachute Chasseur Regiment (french: 5^e Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes), (5^e RCP - dissolved). *

9th Parachute Chasseur Regiment The 9th Parachute Chasseur Regiment (french: 9e Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes, 9e RCP) was an airborne unit of the French Army that was part of the French Airborne Units and all three histories of the 10th Parachute Division, 25th Para ...

(french: 9^e Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes), (9^e RCP, merged with 1^er RCP). * ('14th Parachute Chasseur Regiment' (14^e RCP - dissolved). * ("18th Parachute Chasseur Regiment") (18^e RCP - dissolved). File:Insigne du 1°RCP.jpg, 1^er R.C.P Image:Insigne du 1° BCCP SAS.jpg, Insignia of the 2^e R.C.P, 1^er B.C.C.P-SAS and 1^er B.P.C File:Insigne du 3° RCP.jpg, 3^e R.C.P or 3rd French

Special Air Service The Special Air Service (SAS) is a special forces unit of the British Army. It was founded as a regiment in 1941 by David Stirling and in 1950, it was reconstituted as a corps. The unit specialises in a number of roles including counter-terro ...

of H.M.'s British Army File:Insigne du 3° bataillon du 2° RCP.jpg, 3^e Bataillon du 2^e R.C.P or 4th French

of H.M.'s British Army Patch de bras du 3e RCP.JPG, File:Insigne de béret SAS Tissu.jpg, 3rd ( 3^e R.C.P) and 4th ( 2^e R.C.P) French

of H.M.'s

File:Insigne en tissu des Forces Française Libre..jpg, Para Chasseur Company of Free French Forces (F.F.L) File:Ecusson des parachutites SAS de la France Libre.jpg, F.F.L.-SAS reserved for SAS paratroopers of Free France 1940-1945 File:Insigne du 9° RCP.jpg, 9^e R.C.P File:Insigne du 14° RCP.jpg, 14^e R.C.P File:Insigne du 18° RCP.JPG, 18^e R.C.P Wings SAS.jpg,

Shock Paratroopers

* 1st Shock Battalion (french: 1^er Bataillon de Choc) (1^er BC - dissolved). * 2nd Shock Battalion/ ''Bataillon Janson-de-Sailly'' or Bataillon Gayardon (2^e BC - dissolved). * 3rd Shock Battalion / Commando Group of France (3^e BC - dissolved). * 4th Shock Battalion / (4^e BC - dissolved). * 5th Shock Battalion / (5^e BC - dissolved). * 6th Shock Battalion / (6^e BC - dissolved). * 1st Parachute Shock Battalion (1^er BPC - dissolved). * 2nd Parachute Shock Battalion (2^e BPC - dissolved). * 1st Shock Parachute Infantry Regiment 1er régiment d'infanterie de choc aéroporté(1^er RICAP - dissolved). * 11th Shock Parachute Regiment 11e régiment parachutiste de choc (11^e BPC, 11^e DBPC and 11^e RPC - dissolved). * 12th Shock Parachute Battalion (12^e BPC - dissolved). * Mixed Airborne Commando Groupment (G.C.M.A - dissolved). File:Insigne du bataillon de choc type 5.jpg, 1^er B.C File:Insigne du 2e Bataillon de Choc,.jpg, 2^e B.C File:Insigne des commandos de France.JPG, 3^e B.C File:Insigne des commandos d'Afrique.JPG, 5^e B.C File:Insigne 2e bataillon parachutiste de choc.jpg, 2^e B.P.C File:Insigne du 11° BPC.jpg, 11^e B.P.C File:Insigne du 12° BPC.jpg, 12^e B.P.C File:GCMA Groupement de Commandos Mixtes Aéroportés.JPG, G.C.M.A

French Train Parachute Regiments

Parachute Companies and Regiments

* Air Support Companies (CRA). * Air Delivery Regiment (RLA - dissolved). * 1st Train Parachute Regiment (french: 1^er Régiment du Train Parachutiste) (1^er RTP). Insigne régimentaire du 1er Régiment du Train Parachutiste

Insigne régimentaire du 1er Régiment du Train Parachutiste

Airborne Bases

* Northern Airborne Base (french: Base Aéroportée Nord) (B.AP.N - dissolved). * Southern Airborne Base (french: Bases Aéroportée Sud) (B.AP.S - dissolved). * North African Airborne Base (french: Base Aéroportée d'Afrique du Nord) (B.AP/AF.N - dissolved). * Airborne Operational Mobile Base (B.O.M.AP). File:BAPN.jpg, B.AP.N File:BAPS.jpg, B.AP.S File:BAP-AFN.jpg, B.AP/AF.N

Parachute Command and Support

* 14th Parachute Logistic and Support Regiment (french: 14^e Régiment d'Infanterie et de Soutien Logistique Parachutiste) (14^e RISLP) - former 14th Parachute Command and Support Regiment. * 7th Parachute Command and Support Regiment (french: 7^e Régiment Parachutiste de Commandement et de Soutien) (7^e RPCS - dissolved). File:7e Régiment Parachutiste de Commandement et Soutien.jpg, 7^e R.P.C.S

Matériel

* 3rd Matériel Regiment (french: 3^e Régiment du Matériel) (3^e RMAT).

Vietnamese, Laotien and Cambodian Parachute Units

* 1st Vietnamese Parachute Battalion (french: 1^er Bataillon de Parachutistes Vietnamiens) (1^er BPVN - dissolved). * 3rd Vietnamese Parachute Battalion (french: 3^e Bataillon de Parachutistes Vietnamiens) (3^e BPVN - dissolved). * 5th Vietnamese Parachute Battalion (french: 5^e Bataillon de Parachutistes Vietnamiens) (5^e BPVN - dissolved). *

6th Vietnamese Parachute Battalion The 6th Vietnamese Parachute Battalion ( Fr: ''6e bataillon de parachutistes vietnamiens'') was a French- Vietnamese paratroop battalion formed in French Indochina in 1954. Operational history The 6th Vietnamese Parachute Battalion (6 BPVN) was ...

(dissolved). *

7th Vietnamese Parachute Battalion The 7th Vietnamese Parachute Battalion ( Fr: ''7e bataillon de parachutistes vietnamiens'') was a French- Vietnamese paratroop battalion formed in Hanoi, French Indochina in 1953. It was part of the First Indochina War The First Indochina Wa ...

(dissolved). * 1st Khmers Parachute Battalion (created on December 1, 1952 in

Cambodia Cambodia (; also Kampuchea ; km, កម្ពុជា, UNGEGN: ), officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochinese Peninsula in Southeast Asia, spanning an area of , bordered by Thailand t ...

). * 1st Laotian Parachute Battalion (created on October 1, 1951 in

Vientiane Vientiane ( , ; lo, ວຽງຈັນ, ''Viangchan'', ) is the capital and largest city of Laos. Vientiane is divided administratively into 9 cities with a total area of only approx. 3,920 square kilometres and is located on the banks of ...

Laos Laos (, ''Lāo'' )), officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic ( Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ, French: République démocratique populaire lao), is a socialist ...

Algerian Parachute Units

* 19th Algerian Parachute Battalion * 14th Algerian Parachute Tirailleur Brigade

French Air and Space Force Fusiliers Commandos de l'Air

Past and present

Fusiliers Commandos de l'Air The ''Fusiliers Commandos de l'Air'' ( French for "Fusilier commandos of the Air (force)") of the French Air and Space Force are equivalent to the United Kingdom's RAF Regiment, German Air Force Regiment or the United States Air Force Security ...

units have included: * 601st Airborne Infantry Group (601e G.I.A, 1e CIA, 1e BCP, then 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment (1e RCP)). * 602nd Airborne Infantry Group (602e G.I.A, 1e CIA, 1e BCP, then 1e RCP). * Air Marching Infantry Company (CIAM), 1e RCP. * 1st Air Infantry Company (1er CIA, 1er BCP, then 1er RCP). * 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment (1er RCP of the

transferred to the

). * Air Force Security and Intervention Forces Brigade (France) ** Air Parachute Commando n° 10, C.P.A. 10, part of

Special Operations Command (France) The Commandement des Opérations Spéciales ( en, Special Operations Command) or COS is a joint staff charged with overseeing the various special forces of the French Army, Navy and Air and Space Force, bringing them all under a single operatio ...

(COS). ** Air Parachute Commando n° 20, C.P.A. 20 ** Air Parachute Commando n° 30, C.P.A. 30 ** Protection Squadrons ().

French Navy

Naval Fusiliers and Commandos include the following Forces Fusiliers Marins and

Commandos Marine The Commandos Marine are the special operation forces, Special Operation Forces (SOF) of the French Navy. The Commandos Marine are nicknamed ''Bérets Verts'' (Green beret, Green Berets). They operate under the FORFUSCO, Sailor Riflemen and S ...

FORFUSCO FORFUSCO is a syllabic abbreviation for the ''Force maritime des fusiliers marins et commandos'', headquartered in Lorient, is the French Navy organisation responsible for and in command of the Fusiliers Marins and Commandos Marine. FORCUSCO is ...

* Aeronautical Naval Parachute Commando (dissolved). *

Commando Ponchardier The Commandos Marine are the Special Operation Forces (SOF) of the French Navy. The Commandos Marine are nicknamed ''Bérets Verts'' (Green Berets). They operate under the Sailor Riflemen and Special Operations Forces Command (FORFUSCO) and ...

(french: Commando Ponchardier) (SAS B). *

Commando Hubert The Commandos Marine are the Special Operation Forces (SOF) of the French Navy. The Commandos Marine are nicknamed ''Bérets Verts'' (Green Berets). They operate under the Sailor Riflemen and Special Operations Forces Command (FORFUSCO) and ...

(french: Commando Hubert) (part of Special Operations Command (COS). * Fusiliers Marins Commandos Group (GROUFUMACO - dissolved). * Commando François (dissolved). * Commando de Penfentenyo (french: Commando de Penfentenyo) (part of COS). *

Commando Jaubert The Commandos Marine are the Special Operation Forces (SOF) of the French Navy. The Commandos Marine are nicknamed ''Bérets Verts'' ( Green Berets). They operate under the Sailor Riflemen and Special Operations Forces Command (FORFUSCO) an ...

(french: Commando Jaubert) (part of COS). * Commando de Montfort (french: Commando de Montfort) (part of COS). * Commando Trépel (french: Commando Trépel) (part of COS). * Naval Fusiliers Instruction Center. ''École des fusiliers marins'' (ECOFUS) * Naval Fusiliers and Commando Base (BASEFUSCO). *

Commando Kieffer The Commandos Marine are the Special Operation Forces (SOF) of the French Navy. The Commandos Marine are nicknamed ''Bérets Verts'' (Green Berets). They operate under the Sailor Riflemen and Special Operations Forces Command (FORFUSCO) and ...

(french: Commando Kieffer) (part of COS).

National Gendarmerie

Paratroopers of the

include: * National Gendarmerie Parachute Intervention Squadron (EPIGN), part of the

National Gendarmerie Intervention Group National may refer to: Common uses * Nation or country ** Nationality – a ''national'' is a person who is subject to a nation, regardless of whether the person has full rights as a citizen Places in the United States * National, Maryland, c ...

(french: Groupe d'intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale), the

GIGN The GIGN ( ; ) is the elite police tactical unit of the National Gendarmerie of France. Among its missions are counterterrorism, hostage rescue, surveillance of national threats, protection of government officials, critical site protection (suc ...

Medics

Combat medic A combat medic, or healthcare specialist, is responsible for providing emergency medical treatment at a point of wounding in a combat or training environment, as well as primary care and health protection and evacuation from a point of injury ...

s in the

are part of the French Defence Health Service. Each French

regiment A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, service and/or a specialisation. In Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of front-line soldiers, recruited or conscripted ...

battalion A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of 300 to 1,200 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain). In some countries, battalions are ...

company A company, abbreviated as co., is a Legal personality, legal entity representing an association of people, whether Natural person, natural, Legal person, legal or a mixture of both, with a specific objective. Company members share a common p ...

and unit has its own specialized combat

medic A medic is a person involved in medicine such as a medical doctor, medical student, paramedic or an emergency medical responder. Among physicians in the UK, the term "medic" indicates someone who has followed a "medical" career path in postgradu ...

s, with ranks designating various unit level sizes. For French Regiments engaged in combat, the leading Medical leadership would be a colonel or Lieutenant-colonel and can also be designated as Parachute Medical-Colonel of the Army (french: Médecin-Colonel Parachutiste de l'Armée). For Foreign Legion Regiments, Medics can be French and Legionnaires, while the leading Medical leadership would be a Colonel or Lieutenant-colonel and can also be designated as Foreign Parachute Medical-Colonel (french: Médecin-Chef Parachutiste des Régiments, Bataillons et Compagnies Etranger de Parachutistes).

References

Bibliography

* E. Micheletti et J. Baltzer, ''Insignes et brevets parachutistes de l'armée française'', éditions Histoires et Collections, 2001, . * Collectif, ''Histoire des parachutistes français'' (History of French Paratroopers), Société de Production Littéraire, 1975.

External links

History of the 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment, 9th Parachute Chasseur Regiment, 14th Parachute Chasseur Regiment and 18th Parachute Chasseur Regiment
{{French Foreign Legion navbox . French Military parachuting in France .

Paratroopers A paratrooper is a military parachutist—someone trained to parachute into a military operation, and usually functioning as part of an airborne force. Military parachutists (troops) and parachutes were first used on a large scale during Worl ...