View source for French forces in Afghanistan

{{Short description|2001 to 2014 French presence in the War in Afghanistan}}
[[File:French military patrolling near Sirobi.jpg|thumb|French [[Véhicule de l'avant blindé|VAB]] patrolling in Afghanistan in 2009.]]

'''French forces in Afghanistan''' were involved in the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]] from late 2001, until fully withdrawing by 2014. They operated within two distinct frameworks:
* the [[International Security Assistance Force]] (ISAF), carried out by [[NATO]] on a United Nations mandate
* "[[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|Operation Enduring Freedom]]", under US command, as part of the [[War on Terror]].

French forces have contributed to both chapters in several national operations: 
* ''Opération Pamir'' with the ISAF,
* ''[[Opération Héraklès]]'' for the naval and air components
* ''Opération Épidote'' for training of the Afghan Army
* ''Opération Arès'' for special operations within "[[Operation Enduring Freedom]]"

As of 1 November 2009, 4,000 French personnel were deployed in Afghanistan, including the air support of [[Combined Task Force 150]] in the Indian Ocean. Furthermore, 150 gendarmes were deployed in late 2009.

Operations in 2009 alone cost 450 million Euros, amounting to over half the 870 million Euros devoted to military operations abroad. A total of 86 servicemen were killed.<ref>[https://www.statista.com/statistics/262894/western-coalition-soldiers-killed-in-afghanistan/ Number of fatalities among Western coalition soldiers* involved in the execution of Operation Enduring Freedom from 2001 to 2019]</ref><ref>[http://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/afghanistan/in-memoriam/in-memoriam French lost on the website of the "Ministère de la Défense" (French Ministry of Defence)]</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/world/2012/01/21/french-president-suspends-military-training-hints-early-afghan-pullout-after-soldiers-killed/Rx9EtNy9oDDOK0Uvs1pkNN/story.html |title=France ponders early pullout from Afghanistan |work=Boston Globe |first=Steven |last=Erlanger |first2=Alissa J. |last2=Rubin |date=21 January 2012 |accessdate=30 November 2014}}</ref>

In January 2012, after an [[Afghan National Security Forces|Afghan soldier]] shot and killed four French soldiers in eastern Afghanistan, French president [[Nicolas Sarkozy]] threatened to suspend French operations in Afghanistan due to the [[fragging]] incident.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/21/world/europe/sarkozy-weighs-afghan-withdrawal-after-4-french-troops-killed.html?pagewanted=all|title=France Weighs Pullout After 4 of Its Soldiers Are Killed|author1=Steven Erlanger|author2=Alissa J. Rubin|date=20 January 2012|accessdate=26 February 2012|newspaper=New York Times}}</ref> The newly elected president [[François Hollande]], announced in June 2012 that he would be withdrawing 2,000 of France's 3,400 troops in Afghanistan, leaving 1,400 for training and logistics.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/afghanistan/story/2012-06-09/nato-troops-killed-afghanistan/55478200/1 USA Today, 8 June 2012, Bomber kills 4 French troop in Afghanistan]</ref> In November 2012, France's combat troops were withdrawn from Afghanistan, leaving just the logistical contingent in the country.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-france-idUSBRE8AJ11O20121120 | work=Reuters | title=French combat troops withdraw from Afghan war | date=20 November 2012}}</ref>

== Mission ==
The official mission statement for [[French military]] in Afghanistan in
{{cquote|''secure zones under their responsibility as to allow the Afghan State to rebuild itself, allow development operations, and allow the deployment of the services provided by the Afghan State'' (...) [and] ''allow a rise in power of the Afghan Army''}}

French forces support anti-drug operations, though destruction of opium fields and capture of dealers is not part of their mission. When prisoners are captured during combat, they are surrendered to Afghan authorities.

== History ==
The [[September 11 attacks|attacks of 11 September 2001]], triggered Article 5 of the [[NATO]] treaty, stating that an attack against any member would be regarded as a direct attack on all parties. Although France was not bound by this clause, it pledged armed forces at the side of its allies.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.elysee.fr/elysee/elysee.fr/ressources_documentaires/otan/le_traite_de_l_atlantique_nord_et_ses_membres.8286.html |title=Le Traité de l'Atlantique nord et ses membres. |access-date=2009-11-13 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120801073019/http://www.elysee.fr/elysee/elysee.fr/ressources_documentaires/otan/le_traite_de_l_atlantique_nord_et_ses_membres.8286.html |archive-date=2012-08-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Legal context and UN mandate ===
On 20 December 2001, [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1386|Resolution 1386]] of the [[United Nations Security Council]] created the [[International Security Assistance Force]] (ISAF), under [[Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter]]. Its mandate is
{{quote|to allow it, as resources permit, to support the Afghan Transitional Authority and its successors in the maintenance of security in areas of Afghanistan outside of Kabul and its environs, so that the Afghan Authorities as well as the personnel of the United Nations and other international civilian personnel engaged, in particular, in reconstruction and humanitarian efforts, can operate in a secure environment, and to provide security assistance for the performance of other tasks in support of the Bonn Agreement|[[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1510]].<ref>[http://www.nato.int/isaf/topics/mandate/unscr/resolution_1510.pdf UN Resolution 1510]</ref>}}

=== ''Opération Héraklès'' ===
From 21 October 2001, ''[[Opération Héraklès]]'' came in force, with the deployment of twenty [[Mirage IV]]P and twenty [[C-135]]FR at the air base of Al Dhafra. These planes carried out 800 one-hour reconnaissance missions over Afghanistan, after crossing the Sea of Oman and part of Pakistan, until they were drawn back to France on in February 2002.<ref>{{in lang|fr}} [http://secretdefense.blogs.liberation.fr/defense/2009/06/afghanistan-les-800-missions-du-mirage-iv-fin-2001.html Afghanistan: les 80 missions des Mirage IV, fin 2001]{{Dead link|date=November 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Secret Défense, 9 May 2009</ref>

On 21 November 2001, the aircraft carrier {{ship|French aircraft carrier|Charles de Gaulle|R91|2}} and her battle group were deployed in the Indian Ocean to support NATO operations in Afghanistan. Dubbed [[Task Force 473]], the group comprise the ''Charles De Gaulle'', the frigates {{ship|French frigate|La Motte-Picquet|D645|2}}, {{ship|French frigate|Jean de Vienne|D643|2}} and {{ship|French frigate|Jean Bart|D615|2}}, the tanker {{ship|French ship|Meuse|A607|2}}, the nuclear submarine {{ship|French submarine|Rubis|S601|2}}, and [[aviso]] {{ship|French aviso|Commandant Ducuing|F795|2}}. On 19 December 2001, [[Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard]]s aircraft carried out their first missions.

On 27 December 2001, [[Task Force 473]] was integrated into a multinational force also comprising the aero-naval groups of  {{USS|Theodore Roosevelt|CVN-71|6}}  and {{USS|John C. Stennis|CVN-74|6}}, and the Italian {{ship|Italian aircraft carrier|Giuseppe Garibaldi|551|2}}, amounting to over 100 ships in total.

On 18 February 2002, a [[Helios 2A]] satellite spotted suspicious activities on the ground near [[Gardēz]]. After confirmation by two Super Étendards and by US special forces, [[Operation Anaconda]] was launched by US and British forces. The attempted capture of wanted leaders ended in failure as the incomplete surrounding allowed them to flee.

In March 2002, a rescue unit was created under the name of RESAL (équipe de Recherche Et Secours AéroLarguée) to help pilots should they be downed over Afghanistan. 
In March, eight Super Étendards and six [[Mirage 2000]] targeted several suspected Al Qaida targets on request from US forces. US President [[George W. Bush|George Bush]] stated
{{quote|There are many examples of commitment from our good ally, France, who has deployed nearly one-fourth of its army and navy to support Operation Enduring Freedom.<ref>{{in lang|en}} [https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2002/03/20020311-1.html ''President Thanks World Coalition for Anti-Terrorism Efforts'', White House,  11 March 2002]</ref>}}
From February, ''Charles De Gaulle'' and ''John C. Stennis'' exchanged aircraft in joint exercises.

=== Land deployment ===
On 15 November 2001, the first French soldiers of the 21st RIMA landed in Afghanistan, Mazar-E-Sharif and North of Kabul. They amounted to 640 men, of whom 400 were deployed under the aegis in the ISAF.<ref>{{in lang|fr}} [http://www.lepoint.fr/actualites-monde/2009-02-11/chronologie-de-l-engagement-francais-en-afghanistan/1648/0/316138 Chronologie de l'engagement français en Afghanistan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091201021218/http://www.lepoint.fr/actualites-monde/2009-02-11/chronologie-de-l-engagement-francais-en-afghanistan/1648/0/316138 |date=2009-12-01 }}, [[Le Point]], 11 Février 2009</ref>

On 11 August 2003, NATO took over command of the 3500-strong ISAF. By that time, the French contingent amounted to 500 men, one seventh of the force. France also assumed command of the Kabul region.

=== Special forces activities: ''Opération Épidote'' ===
In May 2003, during the G8 summit in Evian, President Chirac ordered Special Forces be sent to Southern Afghanistan. 200 men of the [[Commandement des opérations spéciales]] operated on the ground from July 2003 to December 2006 near [[Spin Boldak]], and later at  [[Jalalabad]]. They sustained 7 killed.<ref>{{in lang|fr}} [http://secretdefense.blogs.liberation.fr/defense/2007/12/afghanistan-bil.html Afghanistan: bilan mitigé pour les forces spéciales françaises] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090807051628/http://secretdefense.blogs.liberation.fr/defense/2007/12/afghanistan-bil.html |date=2009-08-07 }}, 22 December 2007, Secret Défense, [[Jean-Dominique Merchet]]</ref>

The year 2003 marked the beginning of ''[[Opération Épidote]]'', which aimed at training elements of the Afghan Army. The mission lasted three years, during which 3,810 soldiers were trained.<ref>{{in lang|fr}} [http://www.palais-bourbon.fr/12/cr-cdef/06-07/c0607002.asp COMMISSION DE LA DÉFENSE NATIONALE ET DES FORCES ARMÉES] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061209015021/http://www.palais-bourbon.fr/12/cr-cdef/06-07/c0607002.asp |date=2006-12-09 }}, 10 October 2006</ref>

From 9 August 2004 to 11 February 2005, the [[Eurocorps]] was put in charge for the ISAF6 mission.

In February 2010, one [[Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team]] (OMLT), composed of 70 French soldiers and a number of Afghan troops participated in the NATO-led [[Operation Moshtarak]] in [[Helmand Province]], Southern Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lepoint.fr/actualites-monde/2010-02-13/afghanistan-plusieurs-dizaines-de-soldats-francais-participent-a-l-operation/924/0/423874|title=Plusieurs dizaines de soldats français participent à l'opération Mushtarak|date=2010-02-13|publisher=AFP|language=French}}</ref>

=== First casualties ===
French Forces sustained their first fatality on 31 August 2004 when corporal Murat Yagci, of the [[1er RPIMa]], gravely injured two days earlier when his vehicle fell over a cliff, died of his wounds.<ref>{{in lang|fr}} [http://lemamouth.blogspot.com/2009/05/afghanistan-les-27-morts-francais.html Afghanistan, les 28 morts français], Le mamouth, 24 mai 2009</ref> Two more soldiers, of the [[3e RH]], were killed in a traffic accident near Kabul on 21 October. On 12 February 2005, a corporal of the [[2e REI]] killed himself with his own weapon.

The first combat fatalities occurred on 17 September 2005, when a makeshift landmine killed Corporal Cédric Crupel, of the [[1er RPIMa]], near [[Spin Boldak]].<ref>{{in lang|fr}} [http://www.troupesdemarine.org/outils/bulletin/news/fiches/nw001254.htm Hommage à Bayonne au soldat tué en Afghanistan], 22/09/2005, Site des Troupes de Marine</ref>

=== Reinforcements of the expeditionary corps and the Surobi Ambush ===
{{Main|Brigade La Fayette}}

By December 2008, the French contingent in Afghanistan had grown to 1,600 men, with 4000 more involved in the theatre of operations.<ref>[http://www.rpfrance-otan.org/article.php3?id_article=541 Les forces françaises en Afghanistan : quelque 1.600 hommes] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20121203045629/http://www.rpfrance-otan.org/article.php3?id_article=541 |date=2012-12-03 }}, [[Agence France-Presse]], 22 December 2008</ref> The Air component had carried out 1 700 sorties and 300 [[shows of force]].<ref>[http://mars-attaque.blogspot.com/2009/06/en-lair-avec-des-etoiles.html En l’air avec des étoilés], Mars Attaque, 12 June 2009</ref>

In August 2008, nine French soldiers were killed and 21 wounded by guerilla forces in the [[Uzbin Valley Ambush]], near Surobi. A tenth soldier died in a related road accident. These losses, the heaviest in France since the [[1983 Beirut barracks bombing]], shocked the public opinion and prompted or accelerated deployment of items requested by the military, particularly drones and [[Protector (RWS)|tele-operated turrets]] for VABs.

On 22 September 2008, a 343 to 210 vote by the [[National Assembly of France]] authorised prolonged intervention in Afghanistan.<ref>[http://www.defense.gouv.fr/breves/debat_sur_l_afghanistan Débat sur l’Afghanistan à l’Assemblée nationale : les députés se prononcent pour le maintien des forces françaises], Ministry of Defence</ref> In March 2009, the French set on the offensive in [[Kapisa Province]], yielding the [[Battle of Alasay]]; at the price of one killed, they routed a few hundreds of guerrilla and established two outposts for the Afghan Army.

On 4 September 2009, Corporal Johan Naguin, of the [[3e RIMa]], was killed by a makeshift landmine; Chief corporal Thomas Rousselle, of the [[3e RIMa]], died of his wounds two days later, and eight others were wounded. On 27 September, a storm killed three soldiers. A first was struck by lightning; as others rushed to evacuate him, one was swept away by a flood, and a second drowned as he tried to rescue his comrade. The same day, a fourth soldier died in a road accident, once again as he was riding in the open turret of a VAB. On 4 October, two soldiers died in an explosion triggered against their convoy; a third, chief sergeant Johann Hivin-Gerard, of the [[3e RIMa]], succumbed to his wounds four days later.

On 31 October 2009, French general [[Marcel Druart]] transferred command of the region of Kabul to Turkish general [[Levent Çolak]]. The next day, French forces in Afghanistan were organised under the Aegis of the  [[Brigade La Fayette]].

== Order of battle ==
The total French forces deployed on the theatre of operations, including Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and the Indian Ocean, amounts to 30,000 men. 23,200 have served in Afghanistan itself.<ref name="EMA150609" >[http://www.defense.gouv.fr/ema/layout/set/popup/content/view/full/79989 dispositif français pour l'Afghanistan au 15/06/09], ministry of Defence</ref> Furthermore, 150 gendarmes are training the Afghan police.

===Army===
The [[French Army]] has deployed two joint battalions, each comprising three combat companies, and six "[[Operational Mentoring Liaison Team]]". They fall mostly under [[Train Advise Assist Command - Capital|Regional Command Capital]], under Turkish command since 2009, and under [[Train Advise Assist Command - East|Regional Command East]], under US command.

Since 1 November 2009, the French deployment has been deeply reorganised, though complements are supposedly unchanged: 
* geographically, most of the French units were transferred to Kapisa and Surobi, joining them in a neighbourhood where they can support each other. The headquarters is in an outpost near [[Nijrab]].<ref>[http://www.defense.gouv.fr/ema/operations_exterieures/afghanistan/breves_et_photos/24_09_09_afghanistan_deploiement_d_un_centre_operationnel_sur_la_fob_nijrab 24/09/09 - Afghanistan : déploiement d’un centre opérationnel sur la FOB Nijrab], Ministry of Defence</ref>
* operationally, responsibility for Surobi district has been transferred from [[Train Advise Assist Command - Capital|Regional Command Capital]] to [[Train Advise Assist Command - East|Regional Command East]], bringing [[GTIA Surobi]] and [[GTIA Kapisa]] under a single Regional command. Furthermore, a "[[Brigade La Fayette]]", under US command, was created to regroup both GTIA into a single hierarchy.

Hence, the two French battalions are now grouped both geographically and operationally, under the aegis of the [[Brigade La Fayette]].

The GTIA have both been reinforced by one additional infantry company, bringing the effectives to around 3000 men as of 1 November 2009. They have now the same complement;<ref>BATFRA used to have 100 more men than GTIA Kapisa</ref> each can deploy an [[AMX-10 RC]] platoon, and several fire support platoons comprising [[Véhicule blindé léger|VBL]] and 20mm-armed [[Véhicule de l'avant blindé|VAB T20-13]] vehicles.<ref>Jean-Marc Tanguy, [http://lemamouth.blogspot.com/2009/07/exclusif-la-cavalerie-double.html La cavalerie double], [http://lemamouth.blogspot.com Le mamouth], 11 July 2009</ref>

Summer of 2009 saw a significant beefing up in aerial capabilities, with 3 [[Eurocopter EC-665 Tigre|EC-665 Tigre]] and 2 [[Eurocopter AS-532 Cougar|AS-532 Cougar]] of the [[French Army Light Aviation|ALAT]] sent in reinforcements.<ref>[http://secretdefense.blogs.liberation.fr/defense/2009/06/renforts-en-afghanistan-la-france-va-envoyer-trois-tigre-et-deux-caracal.html Renforts en Afghanistan : la France va envoyer trois Tigres et deux Cougars (actualisé)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020230624/http://secretdefense.blogs.liberation.fr/defense/2009/06/renforts-en-afghanistan-la-france-va-envoyer-trois-tigre-et-deux-caracal.html |date=2014-10-20 }}, [[Jean-Dominique Merchet]], ''Secret Défense''</ref> They add to the 6 helicopters already deployed.

Eight 155mm [[CAESAR self-propelled howitzer]]s have been sent to Afghanistan. Two are deployed in each outpost held by the French, and the remaining four are kept in Kabul as a reserve. The howitzers deployed in the field can provide fire support to French troops as they operate in neighbouring valleys, complementing the 120mm [[Mortier 120mm Rayé Tracté Modèle F1|MO-120-RT-61]] mortars that they bring with.<ref>{{in lang|fr}} Jean-Dominique Merchet, [http://secretdefense.blogs.liberation.fr/defense/2009/06/la-france-va-envoyer-des-canons-caesar-en-afghanistan.html La France devrait envoyer huit canons Caesar en Afghanistan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090701063054/http://secretdefense.blogs.liberation.fr/defense/2009/06/la-france-va-envoyer-des-canons-caesar-en-afghanistan.html |date=2009-07-01 }}, 29 June 2009</ref>

Six "[[Operational Mentoring and Liaison Teams]]" amounting to 300 men assist the Afghan Army:<ref name="EMA150609" /><ref name="Centcom"/><ref>{{in lang|fr}} [http://18alexterieurafghanistan.blogspot.com/2008/12/certification-de-la-1re-brigade-en.html Certification de la 1ère brigade en bonne voie], 18alexterieurafghanistan.blogspot.com</ref>
* Five teams with the Afghan 201st Army Corps in Kapisa and Surobi, amounting to 230 men:
** 1 team with the headquarters of the Army Corps and of its 1st Brigade
** 2 teams with an infantry [[kandak]] within the 1st Brigade
** 1 team with a support kandak of the 1st Brigade
** 1 team with a logistic kandak of the 1st Brigade
* One 70-man team with the 41st kandak of the 4th Brigade in the Afghan 205th Army Corps. This team, deployed on [[Tarin Kwot]] and [[Deh Rawod]] outposts, is organically attached to the Neerland contingent, in [[Train Advise Assist Command - South|Regional Command South]]. The troops come from the [[2e REI]].

''Opération Épidote'' employs 60 men <ref>[http://www.defense.gouv.fr/ema/operations_exterieures/afghanistan/breves_et_photos/30_06_09_afghanistan_epidote_la_formation_des_officiers_d_etat_major_afghans_video Épidote : la formation des officiers d'état-major afghans], Ministry of Defence, 30 June 2009</ref> who train Afghan officers. In the year 2009, 5000 Afghan officers were taught there.<ref name="Centcom">[http://www.centcom.mil/en/countries/coalition/france/ French commitment to counter terrorism and to the Coalition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825112859/http://www.centcom.mil/en/countries/coalition/france/ |date=2009-08-25 }}, United States Central Command</ref>

About 20 instructors train 6 commando kandaks.<ref>[http://www.defense.gouv.fr/ema/operations_exterieures/afghanistan/videos/10_04_08_afghanistan_commando_school Commando School (vidéo)], Ministry of Defence,  10 April 2008</ref> At least two kandaks have been formed thus far.<ref name="Centcom" />

===Air Force===
As of April 2009, the [[French Air Force]] had 334 men in Afghanistan. They manned the following systems:
* 6 attack planes, based in [[Kandahar]]
** 3 [[Mirage 2000D]], since 2005
** 3 [[Mirage F1]] CR, since 20 May 2009. They relieved twenty-three Rafale that were present from 2007.<ref>[http://www.defense.gouv.fr/ema/layout/set/popup/layout/set/popup/operations_exterieures/afghanistan/breves_et_photos/20_05_09_afghanistan_releve_des_rafale_par_trois_mirage_f1_cr  Afghanistan : relève des Rafale par trois Mirage F1 CR], Ministry of Defence, 20 May 2009</ref>
* 3 [[Eurocopter EC-725|Caracal]] in Kabul Airport, under the aegis of the  ALAT, attached to the Army, 3 [[Eurocopter Tiger|Tigers]], 3 [[Aérospatiale Gazelle|Gazelles]] Viviane [[HOT (missile)|HOT]], and 2 [[Eurocopter AS532 Cougar|Cougars]].
* 2 [[Harfang drone]]s, since 3 February 2009; three were originally deployed, but one was damaged in a crash and brought back to France.<ref>[http://www.defense.gouv.fr/ema/layout/set/popup/layout/set/popup/operations_exterieures/afghanistan/breves_et_photos/18_02_09_afghanistan_premier_vol_operationnel_du_sidm_video premier vol opérationnel du SIDM], Ministry of Defence, 18 February 2009</ref><ref>[http://www.defense.gouv.fr/air/base/focus/2009/1er_trimestre/harfang_operationnel_en_afghanistan Harfang, opérationnel en Afghanistan], SIRPA Air</ref><ref>[http://www.lepoint.fr/actualites-monde/2009-04-18/reportage-dans-le-secret-des-drones-de-l-armee-de-l-air/1648/0/336071 Dans le secret des drones de l'armée de l'air] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328073206/http://www.lepoint.fr/actualites-monde/2009-04-18/reportage-dans-le-secret-des-drones-de-l-armee-de-l-air/1648/0/336071 |date=2010-03-28 }}, [[Le Point]], 18 April 2009</ref>

In the same theatre of operation but outside Afghanistan, 172 men are deployed in [[Dushanbe]], in Tajikistan, manning a logistic base and two  [[C-160 Transall]].<ref>[[Air Actualités]], n° 520, April 2009</ref> Furthermore, a [[KC-135|C135]] is based at the [[Transit Center at Manas|Transit Centre at Manas]], in [[Kirghizistan]], with 35 men.

===Gendarmerie===
150 French gendarmes take part in the 500-man [[European Gendarmerie Force]] contingent in Afghanistan.

Two [[Mobile Gendarmerie]] squadrons, from Chauny and Satory, are scheduled to deploy for six months from early 2010 to train the Afghan police.<ref>{{in lang|fr}} [http://www.nordeclair.fr/France-Monde/Monde/2009/06/12/des-gendarmes-picards-bientot-en-afghani.shtml Des gendarmes picards bientôt en Afghanistan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727112807/http://www.nordeclair.fr/France-Monde/Monde/2009/06/12/des-gendarmes-picards-bientot-en-afghani.shtml |date=2011-07-27 }}, [[Nord Éclair]], 12 June 2009</ref><ref>{{in lang|fr}} [http://www.lavoixdunord.fr/journal/VDN/2009/06/10/PLUS/ART1746960.phtml Bientôt l’Afghanistan], [[La Voix du Nord (daily)|La voix du nord]], 10 June 2009</ref>

===Military Fuel Service===
The [[Military Fuel Service (France)|Military Fuel Service]] has been in charge of fuel supplies in Kabul Airport and in [[Camp Warehouse]] since 2006 <ref>[http://www.dicod.defense.gouv.fr/ema/operations_exterieures/afghanistan/breves_et_photos/afghanistan_le_detachement_du_sea_en_asie_centrale Afghanistan : le détachement du SEA en Asie centrale.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527042148/http://www.dicod.defense.gouv.fr/ema/operations_exterieures/afghanistan/breves_et_photos/afghanistan_le_detachement_du_sea_en_asie_centrale |date=2009-05-27 }}, Ministry of Defence</ref>

== Notes and references ==
{{Commons category|France in the 2001-present war in Afghanistan}}
{{Reflist|2}}

===Bibliography===
* [[Frédéric Lert]], ''Pilotes en Afghanistan'', [[Altipress]], 2009, {{ISBN|2-911218-75-2}}
* [[Jean-Dominique Merchet]], ''Mourir pour l'Afghanistan'', Jacob-Duvernet, 2008, {{ISBN|978-2-84724-219-5}}

[[Category:Military units and formations of France]]
[[Category:War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 2021]]