Naval commandos (France)

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The Naval Commandos (commandos marine) are the special forces of the French Navy. They are made up of ~500 members, mostly based in northwestern France (Brittany), with several bases across the country for specific training needs. The Naval Commandos are nicknamed bérets verts (Green Berets). They operate under the French Special Operations Command.

History

The Naval Commandos was formed during World War II in Great Britain, modeled on the Commandos of the Royal Navy. Its manpower came from the Fusiliers de Marine.

It took part in the Normandy Landing on D-day under command of Commandant Kieffer.

Composition

Their personnel is distributed between 5 commandos, named after former naval fusilier officers killed in action, and a special counter-terrorist unit :

• Commando Hubert (also named Commando d'Action Sous-Marine Hubert, CASM, "submarine operations commando"): Submarine action (combat divers).
• Commando Jaubert: Assault at sea, exfiltration, close quarters battle at sea.
• Commando Trepel: Assault at sea, exfiltration.
• Commando de Penfentenyo: Reconnaissance, intelligence operations (recon swimmers)
• Commando de Montfort: Distance neutralisation, special back-ups (missile-launchers, light mortars, heavy sniping rifles)
• Escouade de Contre-Terrorisme et de Libération d'Otages (ECTLO, "counter-terrorist and hostages rescue squad"), one of the two naval maritime counter-terrorism unit with the B section of Commando Hubert.

See also

• Philippe Kieffer

External links

• Official website
• netmarine.net

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Last updated on Thursday November 08, 2007 at 03:53:30 PST (GMT -0800)
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