French involvement in the Europe after 2001.

[Mohoender]

Originally Posted by boogiedowndonovan

Mohender,

with all the recent developments in Libya, do you recall what forces France deployed to Chad during Operation Manta? Is there an Order of Battle floating around out there?

I'll check, I have seen something about it.

[Mohoender]

Quick translation of what I found from the Ministry of Defense

The force reached 3000 men supported by 20 helicopters and 30 aircrafts from air force, army and navy with elements from the following units:

- 2e RIMa (Régiment d’Infanterie de Marine): naval infantry which is army
- 3e RIMa
- 21e RIMa
- 11e RAMa (Régiment d’Artillerie de Marine): naval artillery (also army, don't ask)
- 1er RPIMa (Régiment Parachutiste d’Infanterie de Marine): airborne naval infantry (and to no surprise: army)
- 1er RHP (Régiment de Hussards Parachutistes): airborne armored recon now equipped with ERC-90. Alreeady at the time, I think it was the first regiment to be equipped with this vehicle. After watching pictures I have seen that it was still equipped with AML-60 and AML-90.
- 17e RGP (Régiment de Génie Parachutiste)
- 35e RAP (Régiment d’Artillerie Parachutiste): airborne Artillery
- RICM (Régiment d’Infanterie de Chars de Marine): naval tank which is army as well (AMX-10RC)
- 2e RHC (Régiment d’Hélicoptères de Combat): helicopters
- 5e RHC
- DAO (Détachement d’Assistance Opérationnelle): support
- Commandos de l’Air (FusCo or Fusilier-Commando): base protection/Army K9

- hélicopters: Gazelle and Puma from ALAT (Aviation Légère de l’Armée de Terre),
- Combat aircrafts: Jaguar and Mirage F1
- Transport aircrafts: Transall
- Electronic/Surveillance: Bréguet Atlantic (Navy).

None of these units were at full strength of course. At the time my computer science teachers was sergeant in the 1e RHP (and we were working on Commodore 64 while he was explaining us how fun it was to kick all those Libyan's asses).

Also not to forget, US was quite involved. My cousin was in Chad working for Caterpillar and, according to his saying, several people involved in the USAID and USIS offices were, in fact, CIA or else (If anyones has some serious references to validate his witnessing I'll be happy to know)..

Nice pictures here:
http://www.ecpad.fr/l%E2%80%99operation-manta-au-tchad
The truck with the AMX-10 crossing the river is a Simca-Marmon. Jeeps are Hotchkiss. Then I have seen a GMC along with the VLRA. the 20mm anti air were brand new. The other trucks are Berliet GBC-8. The soldiers equipped with rifles are DAO (FusCo was a mistake on my part) to which FAMAS were not often issued before the 1990's (they were also using the MAT-49), the anti-tank weapon is the LRAC F-1.

http://www.ecpad.fr/operation-manta-au-tchad

Late pictures. The FusCo had been issued the FAMAS