French Army Special Forces Brigade
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French Army Special Forces Brigade
| Brigade des Forces Spéciales Terre | |
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 Badge of the BFST |
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| Active | 1st July 2002- |
| Country |  France |
| Branch | French Army |
| Type | Special Forces |
| Garrison/HQ | Pau, Pyrénées-Atlantiques France |
| Colors | Blue and Red |
| Abbreviation | BFST |
The Army Special Forces Brigade (French: Brigade des Forces Spéciales Terre, BFST) is the French Army's special forces unit. It is based in Pau, Pyrénées-Atlantiques.
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Contents
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History
The BFST is the heir of the Groupement Spécial Autonome (GSA, independent special grouping) created in 1997 and then commanded the 1er RPIMa and a special operations flight belonging to the 4e Régiment d'Hélicoptères de Combat et de Manœuvre (4e RHCM, 4th attack and manoeuvre helicopters regiment) of the ALAT.
In 1998, the Détachement ALAT des Opérations Spéciales (DAOS, ALAT detachment for special operations) was created. In 1999 the GSA became the Commandement des Forces Spéciales Terre (CFST, special forces command, army).
The BFST was activated on 1 July 2002 instead of the CFST 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 (Operation Licorne) and Afghanistan (Operation Héracles).
Composition
- Brigade HQ based in Pau
- 1er Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine (1er RPIMa) based in Bayonne.
- 13e Régiment de Dragons Parachutistes (13e RDP) based in Martignas-sur-Jalle.
- 4e Régiment d'Hélicoptères des Forces Spéciales (4e RHFS) based in Pau.
Equipment[citation needed]
- GIAT / Nexter FAMAS-F1 Infantry (5.56x45mm NATO)
- Colt M16A2 with M203 (5.56x45mm NATO)
- Colt M16 723 with M203 (5.56x45mm NATO)
- Colt M4 Carbine (5.56x45mm NATO)
- SIG SG550 (5.56x45mm NATO)
- SIG SG551 (5.56x45mm NATO)
- Heckler & Koch HK416 (5.56x45mm NATO)
- Heckler & Koch G36 (many version and mix of version) (5.56x45mm NATO)
- FN SCAR Mark 16 Light (5.56x45mm NATO)
- GIAT / Nexter MAT Modèle 1949 Submachingun (MAT49) in (9x19mm Parabellum)
- Heckler & Koch MP5 HK MP5A5, MP5SD6
- FN P90
- GIAT / Nexter PA MAC Modèle 1950 (MAC50)
- GIAT / Nexter PAMAS-G1S (Licence Beretta 92G)
- Heckler & Koch USP expert with silencer
- Glock 17
- Benelli M3T (Tactical) Super 90
- FN Minimi (5.56x45mm NATO)
- FN Minimi (7.62x51mm NATO)
- GIAT / Nexter ANF1 (7.62x51mm NATO)
- GIAT / NexterFR F2 sniper rifle (7.62x51mm NATO)
- Heckler & Koch G3 tuned version with scope & G3-SG1 (7.62x51mm NATO)
- Heckler & Koch G3-SG1 (7.62x51mm NATO)
- Heckler & Koch MSG90 (7.62x51mm NATO)
- Heckler & Koch HK417(7.62x51mm NATO)
- Sako TR42 Folding stock in 300 Win Mag
- PGM Hecate II with Scrome J10 10 × 40 (.50BMG)
- M2 Browning machine gun
- Mk 19 grenade launcher
- AT4
- ERYX
- MILAN
External links
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