French Army Special Forces Command

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.

• Army Special Forces Command, in Pau
  • Compagnie de Commandement et de Transmissions des Forces Spéciales (CCTFS) - Special Forces Command and Signals Company, in Pau
  • 1^er Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine (1^er RPIMa) - 1st Marine Infantry Paratroopers Regiment, in Bayonne
  • 13^e Régiment de Dragons Parachutistes (13^e RDP) - 13th Paratrooper Dragoons Regiment, in Martignas-sur-Jalle
  • 4^e Régiment d'Hélicoptères des Forces Spéciales (4^e 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

• List of French paratrooper units

• ShadowSpear Special Operations Community Website