French Army Special Forces Command
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (December 2012) |
| French Army Special Forces Command | |
|---|---|
| Commandement des forces spéciales Terre | |
 Badge of the BFST | |
| Active | 1 July 2002 - 30 June 2016 (brigade) 1 July 2016 (Command) |
| Country |  France |
| Branch | French Army |
| Type | Special Forces |
| Garrison/HQ | Pau, Pyrénées-Atlantiques France |
| Colors | Blue and Red |
| Abbreviation | COM FST |
The Army Special Forces Command (French: Commandement des forces spéciales Terre, COM FST) is the French Army's special forces unit. It is based in Pau, Pyrénées-Atlantiques.
History
The COM FST 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 Commandement et de Manœuvre (4e RHCM, 4th command and manoeuvre helicopters regiment) of the ALAT.
In 1998, the Détachement ALAT des Opérations Spéciales (DAOS, ALAT detachment for special operations) was created.
The brigade des forces spéciales Terre (BFST) was activated on 1 July 2002 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 (Mission Héraclès).
The brigade des forces spéciales Terre became the commandement des forces spéciales Terre (COM FST, division level) on 1 July 2016.
Structure
- Army Special Forces Command, in Pau
- Compagnie de Commandement et de Transmissions des Forces Spéciales (CCTFS) - Special Forces Command and Signals Company, in Pau
- 1er Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine (1er RPIMa) - 1st Marine Infantry Paratroopers Regiment, in Bayonne
- 13e Régiment de Dragons Parachutistes (13e RDP) - 13th Paratrooper Dragoons Regiment, in Martignas-sur-Jalle
- 4e Régiment d'Hélicoptères des Forces Spéciales (4e RHFS) - 4th Special Forces Helicopter Regiment, in Pau
- Groupement d'Appui aux Opérations Spéciales (GAOS) - Special Operations Support Group, in Pau
- Académie des Forces Spéciales (Académie FS) - Special Forces Academy, in Pau