1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment

1er Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine
Regimental insigne
Active	1941 – present
Country	France
Branch	Armée de Terre
Type	Special Forces
Role	• Direct Action • Special reconnaissance • Counter- terrorism • Foreign internal defense • Unconventional Warfare Other Roles: • Hostage rescue • Personnel recovery • Humanitarian missions • Information operations
Size	One regiment
Part of	Army Special Forces Brigade
Garrison/HQ	Bayonne, France
Motto	Qui Ose Gagne (Who Dares Wins)
Anniversaries	Saint-Michel Day
Engagements	World War II First Indochina War Lebanese Civil War Multinational Force in Lebanon Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Licorne Operation Serval
Commanders
Current commander	Colonel Laurentin
Insignia
French Army Circled Winged Armed Dextrochere Insignia backgrounded by Marine Anchor worn on Red Beret
Abbreviation	1er RPIMa

The 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (French: 1er Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine, 1er RPIMa) is one of three regiments (1er RPIMa, 13e Régiment de Dragoons Parachutistes (13e RDP), 4e RHFS) in the French Army Special Forces Brigade (BFST).

Heir to the traditions of the Paratroopers Units of the Special Air Service of Free France and French Indochina; the regiment is the only metropolitan unit besides outremer French regiments to use the motto « Qui ose gagne » translated from HM's Government British Army SAS motto « Who Dares Wins ».

Filiation 1940 to 1946

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Filiation 1946 to 1955

Filiation 1955 to 2009

Creation and different nominations

Rare fact in the French Armed Forces, the affiliations of the 1e RPIMA are various, indirectly related and numerous. The regiment is heir simultaneously to formations of the French Air Force, metropolitan infantry, Troupes coloniales and Troupes de marine.

World War II

• On September 15, 1940; the 1e compagnie d'infanterie de l'air, 1e CIA ( 1st Air Infantry Company )is created in the United Kingdom by Captain Georges Bergé
• On April 10, 1941; the 1st Air Infantry Company ( 1e CIA ) is reattached to the French Army and named 1er compagnie parachutiste ( 1st paratrooper company ).
• On September 25, 1941; the 1st paratrooper company becomes the peloton parachutiste du Levant ( Paratrooper Platoon of the Levant ) and is attached to the French Air Force.
• On October 15, 1941; the unit becomes by name change the 1er compagnie de chasseurs parachutistes, 1e CCP ( 1st Parachute Chasseur Company ).
• On January 1, 1942; the unit becomes the French Squadron of His Majety's Special Air Service brigade of Major David Stirling
• On July 1, 1943; the unit becomes the 1er bataillon d'infanterie de l'air, 1er BIA ( 1st Air Infantry Battalion ).
• On November 1943; the 1st battalion is renamed 4e bataillon d'infanterie de l'air, 4e BIA ( 4th Air Infantry Battalion )
• On July 1, 1944; the 4th battalion is renamed 2e RCP SAS (SAS 2nd Parachute Chasseur Regiment ) or 4th SAS Regiment.
• On August 1, 1945; the Parachute Chasseur Regiments integrate full the French Army. the 3e RCP ( 3rd Parachute Chasseur Regiment ) or 3rd SAS Regiment is dissolved and the components rejoin the 2e RCP ( 2nd Parachute Chasseur Regiment ).

Indochina War

Colonial Battalions

• On February 1, 1946; the 1er battaillon de choc SAS, 1e BC-SAS ( 1st SAS choc battalion ) is created from elements of the 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment ( 1e RCP ) and the 2nd Parachute Chasseur Regiment ( 2e RCP ).
• On February 23, 1946; the battalion becomes the 1er bataillon parachutiste SAS, 1e BP-SAS ( 1st SAS Parachute Battalion )
• On March 1, 1946; the 2e battaillon de choc SAS, 2e BC-SAS ( 2nd SAS choc battalion ) is created from elements of the 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment ( 1e RCP ) and the 1st Air Choc Infantry Regiment ( 1e RICAP ).
• On September 25, 1947; the two SAS Para Battalions regroup and become the 1er bataillon parachutiste SAS, 1e BP-SAS ( 1st SAS Parachute Battalion )
• On January 1, 1948; the battalion becomes the 1er bataillon colonial de commandos parachutistes, 1e BCCP ( 1st Colonial Parachute Commando Battalion ).
• On July 4, 1948; the 1e BCCP is dissolved.
• On December 7, 1949; another 1st Colonial Parachute Commando Battalion ( 1e BCCP ) is created.
• On October 1, 1950; the colonial parachute commando becomes 1er groupe colonial de commandos parachutistes, 1e GCCP ( 1st Colonial Parachute Commando Group )
• On March 1, 1951; the parachute commando group becomes the 1er bataillon de parachutiste coloniaux, 1e BPC ( 1st Colonial Parachute Battalion ).
• On January 19, 1952; the 1st Colonial Parachute Battalion, 1e BPC is dissolved.
• On June 20, 1953; another 1st Colonial Parachute Battalion, 1er BPC is created.

Colonial Brigades

• On July 1, 1946; the 1er demi-brigade de parachutistes SAS, 1er D-B.P.SAS ( 1st SAS Parachute Demi-Brigade ) is created in Indochina from the 1st and 2nd SAS Parachute Battalions.
• On October 1, 1947; the demi-brigade coloniale de commandos parachutistes D-B.CCP ( Colonial Parachute Commando Demi-Brigade ) was created in the United Kingdom.
• On October 23, 1947; the SAS Demi-Brigade becomes demi-brigade coloniale de commandos parachutistes SAS D-B.CCP-SAS ( SAS Colonial Parachute Commando Demi-Brigade )
• On June 1948, the two Demi-Brigades become in the United Kingdom the 1 eD-B.CCP and in Indochian the 2eD-B.CCP
• On February 1, 1955; the 1e D-B.CCP becomes the Colonial Parachute Brigade ( BPC )

Post Indochina

The Brigade

• On February 25, 1958; the BPC becomes the brigade école des parachutistes coloniaux, BEPC ( Colonial Parachute Brigade Training Ground).
• On December 1, 1958; the BEPC becomes the brigade de parachutistes d'outre-mer, BPOM ( Parachute Outremer Brigade ).
• On November 1, 1960; the BPOM becomes the Brigade parachutiste d'infanterie de marine BPIMa ( Marine Infantry Parachute Brigade ).
• On December 31, 1961; the BPIMa is dissolved.

The Regiment

• On November 1, 1960; the Center of Instruction of the 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment was created at Bayonne.
• On January 1, 1973; the 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment is assigned and tasked with special operations.

Unit specialization

• CTLO (Counter-terrorism and hostage rescue teams (InvEX))
• GDC (Bodyguards Garde du Corps)
• THP (Snipers Tireurs Haute Précision)
• RCO (Paratrooper – Rapas Chuteurs Opérationnels)
• PRS (motorized patrols Patrouilles de Reconnaissances Speciales(PAT-SAS))
• RPO (Combat divers Rapas Plongeurs Offensifs)
• Mountain/arctic, desert and jungle warfare
• Explosives and demolitions

History

Origins

Members of the French Squadron SAS (1st Parachute Chasseur Company,1ere Compagnie de Chasseurs Parachutistes) during the link-up between advanced units of the 1st and 8th armies in the Gabes-Tozeur area of Tunisia. Previously a company of Free French paratroopers, the French SAS were the first of a range of units 'acquired' by Major Stirling as the SAS expanded..

Despite of its name, the 1er RPIMa does belong to the French Army. The Naval Infantry background dates back to 1762 when units of the French Army were detached to the French Navy for ship borne and overseas duties.

The World War II forebears

The 1er RPIMa inherited the traditions of the two Free French Special Air Service (SAS) Regiments that served with distinction alongside their British brothers-in-arms of the SAS Brigade during World War II.

On September 15, 1940, General Charles de Gaulle signed the activation order of the 1ère compagnie d'infanterie de l'air des forces françaises libres (1ère CIA) or 1st Free French Airborne Infantry Company under the command of Captain Bergé.

The 1ère CIA started carrying out operational missions by parachute insertion into occupied France in March 1941. The company was then split into two components, a covert action unit used in clandestine operations and a conventional and uniformed company that was sent to North Africa in September 1941 to fight the Axis Forces with the British Forces.

A very good relationship was quickly established between Captain Bergé and Major Stirling, the commander of the newly created Special Air Service (SAS); the French detachment was soon incorporated into the SAS and became the French Squadron. From 1942 to 1943, the French SAS roamed the region, ranging as far as Crete hunting down Axis forces and destroying their aircraft and supply dumps.

In November 1943, the 3ème and 4ème Bataillons d'Infanterie de l'Air were created and incorporated in the SAS Brigade with their British and Belgian counterparts of the 1st and 2nd SAS Regiments.

Members of the 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment in Rwanda

The Free French SAS took an important part in the liberation of Europe. In Brittany, a little after midnight on D-Day June 6, 1944, Caporal Emile Bouétard (born in Brittany, 1915) was the first killed in action in Plumelec, Morbihan. On August 1, 1944, the 3ème and 4ème Bataillons d'Infanterie de l'Air were renamed 2ème and 3ème Régiments de Chasseurs Parachutistes. As a reward for their bravery, King George VI, awarded the Free French SAS the red beret of the British SAS which replaced the black beret worn until then. As the war drew to a close, 52 French SAS "sticks" (705 men) were parachuted over the Netherlands on April 7, 1945, causing major havoc in the rear areas of German occupation forces and easing pressure on the forward thrust of the 2nd Canadian Army Corps.

On May 8, 1945, the Free French SAS could look back with pride at their achievements. They had been amongst the very first to join Sir David Stirling in North Africa and had taken a major part in the epic battles of the SAS in Africa, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, earning French and foreign awards in so doing (including many British DSOs, MCs and MMs). The regimental colours of the 1er RPIMa have also been decorated with the US Bronze Star Medal, the Dutch Bronzen Leeuw and the Belgian Croix de Guerre. Today, this SAS heritage is still evident through its regimental motto "Qui Ose Gagne" ("Who Dares Wins") and in the awarding of the RAPAS Wings, reminiscent of the wartime SAS "Operational Wings" that can only be awarded to 1er RPIMa operators after they have successfully passed a series of strict selection requirements, including operational deployments.

1945-1974

Between 1945 and 1954 the unit that was later to become the 1er RPIMa after a series of name changes, took part in the war in Indochina, performing several of the more than 160 combat jumps carried out by French paratroopers during that conflict. After the war, the regiment underwent structural changes and became a training depot for the entire colonial airborne forces. As such, it did not take part in the Algerian conflict.

In 1960 1st RPIMa is created. It remained in the training role until 1974 when the 1er RPIMa was transformed into a Special Forces unit, a role it still has today.

1974-2006

Its mission has been mostly to support France's interests in Africa between 1974 and 1981, the 1er RPIMa underwent another mission change, it then focused on Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols for almost a decade, while it still used its training skills training friendly forces abroad.

The 80s and 90s were busy years for the regiment; these were the days when it deployed dozens of times to various hotspots on the planet. While engaged in Operation Desert Storm, the 1er RPIMa lost two of its men in Iraq in 1991.

A year later, the creation of the French Special Operations Command (Commandement des Opérations Spéciales, COS) led to a major shake-up of French special forces units in order to incorporate what had been learned in the First Gulf War. As part of this process, in 1997, the nucleus of what was to become the army's BSFT (Brigade des Forces Spéciales Terre) (Special Forces Brigade Land) was created and the 1er RPIMa became its core unit. All the while, the regiment participated in operations in the Balkans and in Africa; it was specifically involved in stalking war criminals in Bosnia, leading to several successful arrests of individuals indicted for war crimes.

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Today

Shoulder insignia

Part of the French Army Special Forces Brigade (BFST), the 1er RPIMa is a modern, highly skilled and experienced Special Forces unit organized along company lines. The main strength of the regiment lies in its three RAPAS companies (RAPAS meaning Airborne Reconnaissance and Special Action) each specialised in a specific field such as HAHO/HALO, Counter-Terrorism, amphibious, jungle, mountain or motorized patrols operations and its RAPAS Signal company dedicated to the C3 (Command, Control and Communications) support of Special Operations.

The 1er RPIMa also fields a Training and Operations company tasked with providing selection, basic and continuation training of the unit's manpower and a Logistics company which supports the regiment in its daily and operational missions.

Organisation and structure

Due to its long history with the British Special Air Service much of the 1er RPIMa core aspects are based upon the British SAS. Each company specialises in a particular area such as maritime, air and parachuting operations, mobility.

• Four main RAPAS (standing for Airborne Research and Special Action) combat companies:
  • 1e Compagnie (Paratroopers HAHO, HALO / Combat divers/ Urban warfare, counter-terrorism and bodyguards)
  • 2e Compagnie (Mountain, arctic, desert and jungle warfare)
  • 3e Compagnie (Motorized patrols)
  • 4e Compagnie (Recon, acquisition, training)

There is also one Command and Logistics Company and a Training and Operations company which is in charge of providing the selection, initial and continuation training.

Each company is split in RAPAS sections. Each section includes 30 men.

The 1st RPIMa is based in Bayonne, what makes possible amphibious and mountain training. It is also ideal as it is very close to the Centre d'Entrainement Adaptee (CTA), Europe's largest and most modern Close Quarter Battle (CQB) facility and to the dedicated assets of the French army's Special Forces Aviation Detachment (DAOS) and airborne school (ETAP), two establishments that are essential to its training and operations.

Weapons and equipment

The main weapon used by the 1er RPIMa is the FAMAS G2 5.56 assault rifle, standard French Army weapon. Besides this H&K416, SIG 550, M4 and FN SCAR assault rifles are also used by French Army Special Forces. Sometimes M203 or HK69 grenade launchers are also used. For CQB the MP5 series iand FN P90 are used as the main weapons. The Glock 17 and H&K USP are the standard sidearm carried by the soldiers. The ARWEN 37 mm grenade launcher is used in CQB work to launch CS gas into buildings. The Remington 12 gauge pump shotgun is also used during CQB, to take down doors. FN Minimi is used as light machine gun, 5,56mm and 7,72 mm, and Snipers use the H&K 417 or Hecate II rifles. Sometimes MILAN missiles have used in combat to provide fire support.

They wear standard French camouflage and webbing, except when doing CT/HR/CQB work. CQB kit includes a black balaclava, black nomex coveralls, non-slip boots, special webbing and holsters, medical kit for teams medics, gas masks, and special communications equipment.

VPS Panhard VPS(Véhicule Patrouille SAS), based on the Mercedes-Benz 270 CDI G-Class 4x4 light tactical vehicle, is the vehicle used by French Army Special Forces. It is a rapidly deployable vehicle capable of long-duration missions in extremes of climate. An armored floor provides anti-landmine protection to the crew and VPS is air transportable by C-160 Transall or C-130 Hercules. In the French Army the VPS is equipped with 360° ring-mount over the rear body which is armed with a Browning 12.7mm heavy machine gun or Gatling machine gun. One more 7.62mm machine is mounted on swivel station at the front of the crew compartment which is operated by the vehicle commander.

Skills

The 1er RPIMa is tasked with several jobs. These include: Bodyguarding VIPs in hotzones, Direct Action, Reconnaissance, Sabotage, Unconventional Warfare and Hostage rescue. While their name states they are Marine Infantry, they are in fact Army and have no amphibious training.

The 1er RPIMa relies on a number of skills to successfully carry out its missions. Most skills are either regiment or brigade-specific and need constant honing to be kept at the desired level of proficiency. They can be divided into several generic fields:

• The RAPAS (Airborne Reconnaissance and Special Action) basic skills
  • The RAPAS skills are given to Enlisted men and NCOs after they have completed a series of organic and basic regimental courses
  • Basic training leading to the first rung of the RAPAS ladder is the elementary RAPAS technical certificate which is 6 months long.
  • RAPAS training covers all the basics of the SF operator's functions. It is then complemented by specific courses (DZ and LZ marking, basic and advanced CQB, sniping…)
  • A RAPAS group is led by a senior NCO or a Lieutenant. NCOs are generally former enlisted men who have risen from the ranks of the regiment while officers come from various specialized schools (mostly Infantry, Armour and Engineer) before following a specific course complemented by on job training within the groups.
  • When fully qualified and operational, a RAPAS team member has reached the rank of Caporal-chef (Master Corporal), and has been in the regiment for five years and spent more than two thirds of his time in the regiment following courses and has been deployed on real-world operations probably once a year.
• Air insertion
  • Parachute operations: each member of the regiment is static-line parachute qualified using some specific low-altitude (125 meters) dropping techniques. The 1er RPIMa can also field different teams proficient in both HAHO and HALO techniques. Each company has a HALO capability.
  • Helicopter operations: Fast-roping and helicopter rappelling, special purpose infiltration and extraction rigs, LZ marking, special operation procedures, helicopter fire support, helicopter-borne sniper support, light helicopter insertion and extraction
  • Air delivery: the 1er RPIMa is unique in the way it has integrated air delivery component with teams able to rig and airdrop light to heavy loads and pallets in support of special operations from cargo aircraft of dedicated special operations division of the French air force.
• Amphibious operations
  • Open circuit breathing apparatus: the 1er RPIMa can field a complete open air circuit (scuba) team for beach recce or riverine operations using light crafts, including kayaks
  • Closed circuit breathing apparatus: the 1er RPIMa can field a complete closed circuit team for covert underwater missions. This team is not a combat diver team; its purpose is to use waterways as another infiltration method.
• Motorised operations
  • True to their SAS ancestors, the 1er RPIMa has always maintained a motorized patrol capability. It currently centres on PATSAS patrols that are tasked with developing and refining the methods and equipment needed for such operations. In addition to the PATSAS, each RAPAS company fields several motorised RAPAS groups. The mounts of motorised patrols are modified Peugeot P4s, Mercedes VPS and ACMAT VLRA trucks, all fitted with machine guns, automatic cannons, mortars, AGLs or ATGWs.
  • The Special Recce Patrols (PRS): Having understood with time and experience that it is always better to act on intelligence which had been gathered and analyzed by operators that intimately know which method of operation would be best used by the action groups, the 1er RPIMa has decided to include in its specialized teams the PRS concept. The PRS are infiltrated ahead of the action teams and provide real time intelligence on the target area. The information gathered by the PRS is then transmitted by a variety of secure means to the command level which then disseminates it to the action groups.
• Counter Terrorism
  • The 1er RPIMa can field several CT teams, all backed by specialized sniper teams proficient in calibers ranging from 5.56 mm to 12.7 mm (.50 cal)
  • All ranks of the company are CT trained
  • The Regiment benefits from proximity to the Centre d'Entraînement Adapté (CTA), Europe's largest and most modern CQB facility (CQB = Close Quarters Battle or Killing House). The CTA is located in Pau and offers unmatched live firing capabilities for all sorts of CT scenarios.
  • The CQB skills are kept honed to a high level thanks to regular training in the CTA and cross training with French and Allied CT units.
• Bodyguard teams
  • The 1er RPIMa has been involved in bodyguard duties for the last 25 years.
  • The Regiment only provides Bodyguard teams to high-ranking officials at theater level.
  • A fully qualified RAPAS team member is also Bodyguard qualified
• Jungle, desert and mountain operations
  • So as to prepare RAPAS units of the 1er RPIMa for operations over difficult terrain it can use French and foreign training centers on the world
  • Mountain, jungle and desert training exercises are scheduled every year
  • RAPAS team members are sent regularly as permanent instructors to jungle and desert schools in French Guyana or friendly African countries
  • Every year, the Regiment sends some of its members to foreign schools to improve its tactics and procedures in hostile environments (jungle, bush…)
  • A regular influx of experienced NCOs volunteering from the French 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade keeps the Regiment up-to-date on modern mountaineering techniques

Selection and training

Officers and NCOs joining the regiment have to attend the same selection and training as enlisted personnel.

Enlisted soldiers in the French Army can try to join 1er RPIMA, between their first and third years of active duty.

First step is a profile selection: Candidates will be selected regarding unit requirements and personal file (e.g. if the regiment needs some mountain specialists, they will ask for more mountain troopers to come for the selection). Candidates selected must attend the two weeks basic airborne training prior the SF training, for those who are not already enlisted in an airborne regiment.

Second step of selection is "adaptation training" and "stage commando" lasting twelve weeks. Candidates must be above average to continue the training. Most cases of failure and RTU occur during this phase.

The last step of selection is the "stage CTE RAPAS" lasting six months. After completion of this "stage", candidates are fully assigned to the regiment as special force soldier. They will attend additional training to become specialists (bodyguards, pathfinders, etc.)

Parent unit

• Army Special Forces Brigade

Battle honours

The list of operations shows a world-wide commitment since it ranges from Afghanistan to Africa and the Balkans.

Battle Honours

• Crete 1942
• Libye 1942
• Sud Tunisien 1943
• France 1944
• Ardennes Belges 1945
• Hollande 1945
• Indochine 1946-1954
• Koweït 1990–1991
• 2011 Libyan civil war

Decorations

• Cross of the Légion d'honneur
• Cross of the Libération
• Croix de guerre 1939-1945 with 6 palms
• Croix de guerre des Théatres d'Opérations Exterieures with 3 palms
• Croix de guerre (Belgium)
• Bronze Star (USA)
• Bronze Lion (Netherlands)

See also

• List of French paratrooper units
• 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment

External links

• 1er RPIMa Official website
• QUI OSE GAGNE: Association des Anciens Parachutistes Troupe de Marine et anciens de la Brigade des Parachutistes Coloniaux héritiers des S.A.S
• QUI OSE GAGNE: Association des Anciens Parachutistes Troupe de Marine et anciens de la Brigade des Parachutistes Coloniaux héritiers des S.A.S
• QUI OSE GAGNE: Association des Anciens Parachutistes Troupe de Marine

et anciens de la Brigade des Parachutistes Coloniaux héritiers des S.A.S

• QUI OSE GAGNE: Association des Anciens Parachutistes Troupe de Marine et anciens de la Brigade des Parachutistes Coloniaux héritiers des S.A.S
• QUI OSE GAGNE: Association des Anciens Parachutistes Troupe de Marine et anciens de la Brigade des Parachutistes Coloniaux héritiers des S.A.S