| Air Parachute Commando No. 10 | |
|---|---|
| Commando parachutiste de l'air no 10 | |
 | |
| Active | June 1, 1956 |
| Country | 
France |
| Branch | French Air and Space Force |
| Type | Special Forces |
| Role |
Special Reconnaissance Unorthodox warfare Counterterrorism |
| Part of | Special Operations Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Orléans – Bricy Air Base |
| Patron | Saint Michael |
| Motto(s) | Sicut aquila Like an eagle |
| Engagements |
Algerian War
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
|
| Decorations | Cross for Military Valour |
The Air Parachute Commando No. 10 (CPA 10), is a French special forces unit of the French Air and Space Force and is attached to the Special Operations Command. [1] [2] It is currently headquarterd in Air Base 123. [3] The unit specialises in Counterterrorism, Unorthodox warfare, Special Reconnaissance, Combat Search and Rescue and Aerial guidance ( JTACs). [1]
History
In 1935, the Soviets carried out the first parachute drops with their equipment and support materials and France, interested by this mode of deployment, sent three officers for training in the Soviet Union in order to familiarize themselves with the parachuting techniques and equipment used by the USSR. [4]
The CPA 10 was officially established on June 1, 1956, and upon its formation, took part in the Algerian War. [5] [6]
On January 1, 1994, the CPA 10 was integrated into France's Special Operations Command. [6]
CPA took part in the War in Afghanistan with one of its most notable operations being "Operation Blacksmith Hammer". [7] [8]
Since early 2013 (January), the French Armed Forces including CPA 10 have been active in the Mali War with operations "Serval" and "Barkhane". A notable battle in this conflict was the battle of Timetrine, where CPA 10 commandos alongside other units enganged and took out an Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb commander "Mohamed Lemine Ould El-Hassen". [9] [10]
During the 2018 Ouagadougou attacks the CPA 10 ensured the protection of both the French embassy in Burkina Faso and the Burkinabe Armed Forces General Staff. [9]
References
- ^ a b Momi, Rachele (2023-04-01). "French Air and Space Force Special Forces Brigade (BFSA)". Grey Dynamics. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
- ^ "C.P.A. 10, FRANCE". www.harbour-rights.com. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
- ^ France, Centre (2023-01-20). "Armée - On recrute fort à la base aérienne 123 d'Orléans-Bricy et notamment des Forces spéciales". www.larep.fr. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
- ^ "Le CPA 10 : les forces spéciales de l'armée de l'Air et de l'Espace". defense-zone.com. 2021-07-06. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
- ^ "Armée de l'Air 1945-1962" (PDF).
- ^ a b "CPA 10 : 25 ans d'opérations spéciales". archives.defense.gouv.fr. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
- ^ "" Blacksmith Hammer " Magazine Raids". Magazine Raids (in French). Retrieved 2023-08-28.
- ^ "Opération Blacksmith Hammer - Opérations spéciales (saison 2, épisode 2) - Apple TV (FR)". tv.apple.com (in French). 2019-11-14. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
- ^ a b Momi, Rachele (2023-04-01). "French Air and Space Force Special Forces Brigade (BFSA)". Grey Dynamics. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
- ^ Jean-Christophe Notin, La guerre de la France au Mali, p. 448-451.