11th Parachute Brigade

11th Parachute Brigade 11e Brigade Parachutiste Le 11e.B.P..jpg 240px *11th Light Intervention Division (1961–1963) 11th Division (1963–1971) 11th Parachute Division (1971–1999) 11th Parachute Brigade (1999-present) France France 3rd Division French Army Airborne forces 10,200 total (2019)11e brigade parachutiste https://www.defense.gouv.fr/terre/l-armee-de-terre/le-niveau-divisionnaire/3e-division/11e-brigade-parachutiste 2 May 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20220129030311/https://www.defense.gouv.fr/terre/l-armee-de-terre/le-niveau-divisionnaire/3e-division/11e-brigade-parachutiste 29 January 2022 L'armée de Terre fr 31 August 2022 8,700 active 1,500 reserve Balma, Toulouse Algerian War Operation Tacaud Operation Bonite Lebanese Civil War Multinational Force in Lebanon Operation Épaulard I Operation DIODON Gulf War Global War on Terrorism (2001–present) War in Afghanistan (2001–present) Operation Licorne Northern Mali conflict Operation Serval Saint-Michael, September 29 Olivier Salaün *Guy Le Borgne Paul Arnaud de Foïard Jeannou Lacaze 100px 100px 11e B.P Abbreviation The 11th Parachute Brigade (fr 11e Brigade Parachutiste, 11e BP) is one of the French Army's airborne forces brigade, predominantly light infantry, part of the French paratrooper units and specialized in air assault, airborne operations, combined arms, and commando style raids. The brigade's primary vocation is to project in emergency in order to contribute a first response to a situational crisis. An elite unit of the French Army, the brigade is commanded by a général de brigade (Brigadier General) with headquarters in Balma near Toulouse. The brigade's soldiers and airborne Marines wear the red beret (amaranth) except for the Legionnaires of the 2ème REP who wear the green beret. The 11th Parachute Brigade, originally the 11th Light Intervention Division (11e DLI), was created from airborne units of the 10th Parachute Division 10e D.P and 25th Parachute Division 25e D.P,Clayton, 'France, Soldiers, and Africa', Brassey's Defence Publishers, 1988, p.190 both dissolved following the Algiers putsch of 1961 during the Algerian War. Creation and different nominations List of French paratrooper units French Army On May 1, 1961; the 11th Light Intervention Division (fr 11e division légère d'intervention) was created from dissolved airborne units of the 10th and 25th Parachute Division.In Revue Uniformes no 278 (sept-oct 2011), page 30 On December 1, 1963; the 11th Division was created by merging the 11th Light Intervention Division and the 9th Brigade 9e B.D.E.History of French Paratroopers Histoire des parachutistes français, page 556 On April 1, 1971; the 11th Division became the 11th Parachute Division (11e DP). In June 1999; the 11th Parachute Division became the 11th Parachute Brigade (11e BP). Origin and history 11th Light Intervention Division – 11e DLI List of French paratrooper units thumb|right|250px|Organizational Chart of the 11th Light Intervention Division on May 1, 1961 The 11th Light Intervention Division was created on May 1, 1961, from airborne elements of the 10th Parachute Division and 25th Parachute Division, both dissolved following the Algiers putsch of 1961, and from the 11th Intervention Division (11e DI), set at the time to create a total of three airborne divisions. The division commanded by General Marzloffin paratroopers, the honor to serve Les paras l'honneur de servir , page 151 returned to mainland France on July 1, 1961. On August 1, 1963, the 13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment leaves the Division and takes garrison in Lorraine at Dieuze and Nancy. Order of battle Since creation the 11th Light Intervention Division comprised the following: Command and Support Structure 61st Headquarters Company (61e CQG) 61st Transmission Company (61e CT) French Army Light Aviation (ALAT) Platoon Transport Group 513 (GT 513) 61st Airborne Engineer Company (61e CGAP) 61st Repair Division Company (61e CRD) 61st Medical Company (61e CMA) 61st Provision Section (61e SRI) Parachute Infantry 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment (1er RCP) 9th Parachute Chasseur Regiment (9e RCP) 3rd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (3e RPIMa) 6th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (6e RPIMa) 8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (8e RPIMa) Parachute Artillery 35th Parachute Artillery Regiment (35e RALP) Parachute Cavalry 1st Parachute Hussar Regiment (1er RHP) At the time, there were no regiments of the Foreign Legion in the newly enacted division. On October 1, 1963, the division integrated the BOMAP (Airborne Operational Mobile Base). 11th Division – 11e DIV On December 1, 1963, the 11th Light Intervention Division merged with the 9th Colonial Infantry Division and became the 11th Division. From July 1966 and excluding elements of Division support, the division activated and consisted of three Brigades: the 9th Marine Infantry Brigade at Saint-Malo, the 20th Airborne Brigade (20e BAP) at Toulouse and the 25th Airborne Brigade (25e BAP) at Pau. A support battalion, the 61e BS, was created on February 1, 1964, at Auch. The 61e BS supervised health services and provisions in the Division. In March, the 61st Airborne Signals Battalion (61e BTAP) steps in at Pau and absorbs the existing signals and communication companies. In July 1966, the 11th Division reached 16,000 men and consisted of two brigades (the 20e BAP at Toulouse and the 25e BAP at Pau) with five parachute regiments.History of French Paratroopers Histoire des parachutistes français, page 557 and 559 Order of battle thumb|right|350px|Organizational Chart of the 11th Division on July 1, 1966 Command and Support Structure 61st Headquarters Company (61e CQG) 61st Airborne Signals Battalion (61e BTAP) 1st Parachute Hussar Regiment (1er RHP) Régiment d'infanterie-chars de marine (RICM), formerly part of the Moroccan Division 35th Parachute Artillery Regiment (35e RAP) 11th Marine Artillery Regiment (11e RAMa) part of current 9th Marine Infantry Brigade 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment (17e RGAP) 5th Helicopter Combat Regiment (5e RHC); Light Aviation Group of the 11th Division (GALDIV 11) Air Mobil Command Post 50/351 (PCAM) Airborne Operational Mobile Base (BOMAP) 61st Support Battalion (61e BS) 61e CMLAP 11e CLRM 511e CRRM 11e and 61e SEI 9th Outremer Brigade (9e BOM) 1st Marine Infantry Regiment (1e RIMa) 2nd Marine Infantry Regiment (2e RIMa) 3rd Marine Infantry Regiment (3e RIMa) 409e BS 20th Airborne Brigade (20e BAP) 9th Parachute Chasseur Regiment (9e RCP) 3rd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (3e RPIMa) 8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (8e RPIMa) CLT N5 25th Airborne Brigade (25e BAP) 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment (1er RCP) 6th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (6e RPIMa) CLT N6 11th Parachute Division – 11e DP List of French paratrooper units thumb|right|200px|Mortars in action during Operation Bonite at Kolwezi. thumb|right|200px| A radio on a jeep at Kolwezi. thumb|right|200px| French Paratroopers of the Multinational Force in Lebanon with an LRAC F1 on April 1, 1983. On April 1, 1971, the 11th Division was renamed the 11th Parachute Division at Toulouse. The 9th Outremer Brigade (9e BOM) left the Division and the 20th (20e BAP) and 25th Airborne Brigades (25e BAP) subsequently became the 1st and 2nd Parachute Brigades and each integrated one support battalion. The three support regiments were reorganized into two interim intervention regiments although retaining their original designations (1st Parachute Hussar Regiment and the 35th Parachute Artillery Regiment). The 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment was dissolved. Order of battle On July 1, 1971, the 11th Parachute Division consisted of the following units: Command and Support Structure 61st Headquarter Squadron (61e EQG) 61st Transmission Company (61e CT) 5th Combat Helicopter Regiment (5e RHC); Light Aviation Group Division (GALDIV 11) Airborne Operational Mobile Base (BOMAP) Air Mobile Command Post 50/351 (PCAM) 1st Parachute Brigade (1re BP) 9th Parachute Chasseur Regiment (9e RCP) 3rd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (3e RPIMa) 8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (8e RPIMa) 35th Parachute Artillery Regiment (35e RAP) 420th Command and Support Battalion (420e BCS) 2nd Parachute Brigade (2e BP) 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment (1er RCP) 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP) 6th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (6e RPIMa) 1st Parachute Hussar Regiment (1er RHP) 425th Command and Support Battalion (425e BCS) On August 1, 1973, the 61st Headquarter Squadron and the 61st Transmission Company were amalgamated and formed the 61e BCT. The following year, in 1974, the 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment was reformed and the interarm regiments find their specialities. On August 1, 1974, the 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (1e RPIMa) was reattached to the Division. Units belonging to the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP) and the 35th Parachute Artillery Regiment (35e RAP) took part in Operation Tacaud starting from 1978 in Chad.De Lespinois Jérôme Emploi de la force aérienne – Tchad 1969–1987 Use of Air Power – Chad 1969-1987 http://www.cesa.air.defense.gouv.fr/DPESA/PLAF/PLAF_N_6.pdf 2005 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090305170836/http://www.cesa.air.defense.gouv.fr/DPESA/PLAF/PLAF_N_6.pdf 5 March 2009 Penser les Ailes françaises 6 70–72 2009-06-25 In 1978, and within the cadre of military cooperation with Zaïre which anticipates assistance and formation, the 2nd Foreign Prachute Regiment is parachuted in during the Battle of Kolwezi, and participated in the rescue mission at Kolwezi together with Belgian paratroopers. During this intervention, two teams of the 13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment and one team from the 1st Marine Parachute Infantry Regiment (1e RPIMa) were deployed to forward operating terrain on observation and reconnaissance missions. During this time, France had an intervention force 20,000 strong consisting of the 11th Parachute Division, the 9th Marine Infantry Division (9e DIMa), aerial forces and Naval contingents.L'opération "Léopard http://www.defense.gouv.fr/content/download/100780/978504/file/MC37.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20210422121223/http://www.defense.gouv.fr/content/download/100780/978504/file/MC37.pdf 22 April 2021 Collection « Mémoire et Citoyenneté » n° 37 Ministère de la défense fr 31 August 2022 On October 23, 1983, one company of the 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment stationed in Lebanon with the Multinational Force in Lebanon lost 55 paratroopers from the 1er RCP in the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing. Three paratroopers from the 9th Parachute Chasseur Regiment were also killed. In the aftermath of the Cold War, the French Army reorganised and the 11e DP became the 11th Parachute Brigade in 1999. 11th Parachute Brigade – 11e BP List of French paratrooper units French Army In 1999, as part of the restructuring of the French Army, the 11th Parachute Brigade was formed at Balma (Balman Toulouse Garrison), the base of the 11th Parachute Division. The brigade would later be engaged in Africa and Afghanistan. Africa The 11th Parachute Brigade, mainly the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP), took part in Opération Licorne in the Ivory Coast. Afghanistan thumb|right|200px|A light armored vehicle of the 1er Régiment de Hussards Parachutistes in 2006 in Afghanistan. From 2006 to 2007, the parachute brigade intervened in Afghanistan as part of the French Detachment of NATO's International Force.La 11e brigade parachutiste de Toulouse prend le relais en Afghanistan The 11th parachute brigade of Toulouse takes over in Afghanistan http://www.rpfrance-otan.org/spip.php?article355 Site de la représentation permanente française auprès de l'Otan La France à l'Otan fr 2015-06-01 2020-11-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20201126190438/http://www.rpfrance-otan.org/spip.php?article355 dead In September 2007, the brigade was relieved by Chasseurs Alpins of the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade (27e BIM). On 18 August 2008, a unit of the 8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (8e RPIMa) lost eight men during the Uzbin Ambush fr Embuscade d'Uzbin. The paratroopers of the 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment (1er RCP), of the 11th Parachute Brigade, took up its first rotation, and was in place by Sunday, 1 May 2011, in Kapisa Province. Four more rotations would follow. A total of 650 military personnel were scheduled for a mission to maintain zonal security. On 10 May 2011, two combat parachute companies of the 1e RCP—almost 200 men commanded by général Emmanuel Maurin,Villard Claire 200 soldats mobilisés pour l'Afghanistan 200 Soldiers Mobilize for Afghanistan http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2011/05/07/1076530-200-soldats-mobilises-pour-l-Afghanistan.html 7 May 2011 Grand Sud Ladépêche.fr fr 24 July 2018 [...] part en mission pour une année entière. Le général toulousain prendra en charge l'état-major en Afghanistan baptisé « Task Force Lafayette » [...] commander of the 11th Parachute Brigade—were projected east towards Nijrab District, on a mission lasting several months. As a result, 1000 paratroopers were engaged in Afghanistan, principally from the 1e RCP, which were supported by the 11th Parachute Brigade, the 1st Parachute Hussar Regiment, the 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment, 35th Parachute Artillery Regiment, and the 1st Train Parachute Regiment.https://vocationmilitaire.blogspot.com/2011/05/200-soldats-mobilises-pour-lafghanistan.html Vocation militaire: 200 soldats mobilisés pour l'Afghanistan Francis Praira May 7, 2011 From April to October 2001, while preparing for this mission, the 11th brigade rehearsed realistic simulations, in order to achieve operational readiness within the newly established Brigade La Fayette joint command. In Afghanistan, reinforcements served for periods from 6 months to a year in Nijrab District, in northeastern Kapisa Province, while attached to the Tactical Interam Group of Kapisa (TIGK). As of June 20, 2011, the 11th Parachute Brigade was the brigade that endured the most losses, with 18 casualties, in Afghanistan.Jean-Marc Tanguy In memoriam : 1CL Florian Morillon http://lemamouth.blogspot.com/2011/06/in-memoriam-1cl-florian-morillon.html 19 June 2011 Le mamouth fr 31 August 2022 Mali In January 2013, 250 French paratroopers from the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP), 11th Parachute Brigade, jumped into Northern Mali to support an offensive to capture the city of Timbuktu.French-led operation looks north after Timbuktu http://www.france24.com/en/20130129-french-led-operation-looks-north-after-timbuktu-liberated france24.com/en FRANCE 24 30 January 2013 29 January 2013 Present Brigade Mission The 11th Parachute Brigade is a light mobile brigade capable of projecting power around the world in an emergency, as a first response to a crisis. Superior commands The 11th Parachute Brigade is the only parachute brigade of the French Army and is under Ground Forces Command. However, the brigade does not comprise all the parachutes regiments of France, as the 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (1er RPIMa) and the 13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment (13e RDP) are attached to the French Army Special Forces Brigade, while the 2nd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (2e RPIMa)—stationed permanently in outre-mer, near Réunion island—is under the command of the Armed Forces Zones of the Indian Ocean (FAZSOI). Order of battle thumb|right|300px| Organizational Chart of the 11th Parachute Brigade in 2011 The 11th Parachute Brigade is composed primarily of infantry, with elements of artillery, light cavalry, and combat-engineer regiments. The brigade also includes a Commando Parachute Group (GCP), an elite unit of pathfinders. At the beginning of 2000, the brigade was based in southwestern France, except for the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP) stationed in Calvi, Corsica. The brigade consists of 10,200 active and reserve personnel distributed in a central headquarters command and 8 operational regiments with the following composition: Central Command General Headquarters in Balma. 11th Parachute Command Transmission Company (11e CCTP) at Balma. Commando Parachute Group Teams. Combat Parachute Regiments 1er Régiment de Hussards Parachutistes (1er RHP) Parachute Hussar Regiment in Tarbes with ERC 90. 1er Régiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes (1er RCP) Parachute Chasseur Regiment in Pamiers. 2e Régiment Etranger de Parachutistes (2e REP) Foreign Legion Parachute Regiment in Calvi. 3e Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine (3e RPIMa) Marine Parachute Regiment in Carcassonne. 8e Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine (8e RPIMa) Marine Parachute Regiment in Castres. Combat Parachute Support Regiments 1st Train Parachute Regiment, Parachute Supply Regiment in Toulouse 35e Régiment d'Artillerie Parachutiste (35e RAP) Parachute Artillery Regiment in Tarbes with TRF1 howitzers, CAESAR self-propelled howitzers and RTF1 mortars. 17e Régiment du Génie Parachutiste (17e RGP) Parachute Engineer Regiment in Montauban. Equipment thumb|300x300px|ERC-90 of the 1er Régiment de Hussards Parachutistes. Vehicles ERC-90 Sagaie Véhicule Blindé Léger Panhard (VBL) Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé (VAB) Airmobil Logistical Vehicle Auverland A3F (ALV) Small Protected Vehicle (SPV) All Terrain Vehicle Peugeot P4 (ATVP P4) Light Recon Support Vehicle (LRSV) TRM 2000 Truck (TRM) Vehicle Transport Logistique (VTL) Tracto-chargeur TC 910 Mini benne TWAITES TND3 Caterpillar D3 air-transportable Armament Artillery CAESAR self-propelled howitzers 120mm F1 Mortars Mistral Surface to Air Missiles Support Weapons 81 mm Mortar Anti-Tank Firing Missile Milan (Milan) Anti-Tank Firing Missile Eryx (Eryx) Small Arms AT-4 84 mm Anti-Tank weapons FN Minimi Light Machine Gun 51 mm Grenade Launcher F1 Model (GLF1) 12.7mm Hécate High Caliber Precision rifle 7.62 FRF2 Precision Rifle 5.56 Famas Assault Rifle F1 Traditions thumb|right|200px| The Archangel Michael featured in Mont Saint-Michel and the Insignia of the 9th Parachute Chasseur Regiment. Except for the troops of the 1e REG, 2e REG, 2e REP who wear a green beret, the French army metropolitan and marine paratroopers forming the 11th Parachute Brigade wear a red Beret. The saint's day of Archangel Saint Michael, patron of French paratroopers, is celebrated on 29 September. The prière du Para (Prayer of the Paratrooper) was written by André Zirnheld in 1938. Insignia With the paratrooper brevet of the French Army, the insignia of French paratroopers was created in 1946. The French Army insignia of metropolitan paratroopers consists of a closed "winged armed dextrochere", ("right winged arm") with a sword pointing upwards. The insignia makes reference to the patron saint of paratroopers and represents "the right Arm of Saint Michael", the Archangel, which, according to Liturgy,March 2019 is the "armed arm of God". This insignia is the symbol of righteous combat and fidelity to superiors and to the mission. The French Army Insignia of Marine Infantry Paratroopers is over a marine anchor. Brigade Commanders 11th Light Intervention Division (1961–1963) 1961–1963 – général Marzloff 1963–1963 – général Boussarie 11th Division (1963–1971) 1963–1965 – général Boussarie 1965–1966 – général Lalande 1967–1969 – général Hubert de Seguins-Pazzis 1969–1971 – général Lefort 11th Parachute Division (1971–1999) 1971–1971 – général Lefort 1971–1973 – général Compagnon 1973–1975 – général Le Borgne 1975–1977 – général de Foïard 1977–1979 – général Lacaze 1979–1981 – général Jacques Lemaire Décés du général Lemaire. http://www.lunion.presse.fr/article/autres-actus/necrologie-deces-du-general-jacques-lemaire-deces-du-general-jacques-lemaire lunion.fr 2016-09-17 1981–1983 – général Maurice Schmitt 1983–1985 – général Brette 1985–1987 – général Chazarain 1987–1989 – général Michel Guignon 1989–1991 – général de Courrèges 1991–1993 – général Raymond Germanos 1993–199x – général Hervé Gobilliard 1994–1996 – général Maurice Godinot 1996–1998 – général André Soubirou 1998–1999 – général Marcel Valentin11th Parachute Brigade (1999–present) 1999–2001 – général Henri Poncet 2001–2002 – général Christian Damay 2002–2004 – général Emmanuel Beth 2004–2006 – général Jacques Lechevalier 2006–2008 – général Jean-Marc Duquesne 2008–2010 – général Bosser 2010–2011 – général Emmanuel Maurin 2011–2013 – général Patrice Paulet 2013–2015 – général Olivier Salaün 2015–2017 – général des Minières 2017–2019 – général Patrick Collet 2019–present – général Jacques Langlade de Montgros See also France Chief of the Defence Staff of the Armed Forces (French: Chef d'État-Major des Armées, CEMA) Chief of Staff of the French Army (French: Chef d'État-Major de l'Armée de Terre, CEMAT) Chief of Staff of the French Air Force (French: Chef d'État-Major de l'Armée de l'Air, CEMAA) Chief of Staff of the French Navy (French: Chef d'État-Major de la Marine, CEMM) Direction générale de la Gendarmerie Nationale (French: Direction Générale de la Gendarmerie nationale (DGGN)) French Special Operations Command (French: Commandement des Opérations Spéciales (COS)) Franco-German Brigade Honneur et Fidélité List of French paratrooper units Sources External links French Ministry of Defense, French Armed Forces, Section French Army, Official Website of the 11th Parachute Division fr 11e BP official page History of the 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment, 9th Parachute Chasseur Regiment, 14th Parachute Chasseur Regiment and 18th Parachute Chasseur Regiment Category:Brigades of France Category:Airborne units and formations of France 11 Category:Military units and formations established in 1961 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1963 Category:Military units and formations established in 1963 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1971 Category:Military units and formations established in 1971 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1999 Category:Military units and formations established in 1999 Category:1961 establishments in France