French Army Special Forces Brigade

Brigade des Forces Spéciales Terre

Badge of the BFST
Active 1 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.

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

External links