Escadron parachutiste d'intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale
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| Escadron Parachutiste d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale | |
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 Patch of the Escadron Parachutiste d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale |
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| Active | 1984 - Present |
| Country | France |
| Branch | French Gendarmerie |
| Type | Special Forces |
| Role | Domestic Counter-Terrorism and Law Enforcement |
| Size | 139 operators |
| Garrison/HQ | Satory, France |
| Nickname | EPIGN |
| Engagements | Ouvéa cave crisis Attempted apprehension of Khaled Kelkal |
The Parachute Intervention Squadron of the National Gendarmerie (French: Escadron Parachutiste d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale) (EPIGN) is the parachute-trained intervention squadron of the French Gendarmerie. The unit was formed in 1984, and is currently 139-men strong. These are divided between four platoons of 30-35 men each, plus a HALO/HAHO-qualified platoon.
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[edit] Known operations
Its missions are generally large-scale operations against terrorism and organized crime. It has also been used for maintaining public order, for searches for persons in difficult environments, and for reinforcing the security of French diplomatic missions abroad. One of the unit's platoons specialises in VIP protection.
It is based in Satory, west of Paris. Along with the GIGN it forms the GSIGN (Groupe de Sécurité et d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale, Group of Security and Intervention of the National Gendarmerie).
Past missions included:
- Assault on the Ouvéa cave.
- Attempted arrest, and shooting, of terrorist Khaled Kelkal.
[edit] Skills
The competencies of its personnel are:
- Alpinism (taught by the high-mountain gendarmerie group of Chamonix)
- Parachutism
- Diving
- First aid
- Marksmanship
- Explosive neutralisation
- Close security
- Close combat
[edit] See also
[edit] Related links
- (French) Unofficial website
- (Spanish) Specwarnet.com report
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