Let's now look at the mountain commandos, who are generally rarely mentioned and little known to the general public. In this article, we will tell you about the history of this unit.
History of the Mountain Commando Group
The Mountain Commando Group (GCM) was created in 1997 when the army began its major transformation: from a conscript army with professional officers to a fully professional army. The mountain commandos are therefore part of this army overhaul.
Historically, the GCMs are descended from the ski scout sections, a type of section intended for intelligence gathering at high altitudes. During the conscription phase, it was the URH 27, the Human Research Unit. This unit was exclusively dedicated to intelligence. With the end of conscription, it was decided to give this unit a more offensive character. It is therefore with this dual role that the mountain commandos were truly born.
However, the existence of these commandos was kept secret for over 10 years, which is extremely rare in the military world. It was the death of Warrant Officer Laurent Pican, on September 21, 2007, during an operation in Afghanistan, that publicly revealed the existence of this specific type of commando.
Known operations of the mountain commandos
Mountain commandos are primarily dedicated to external operations, particularly within the framework of French participation in international forces. Thus, since their creation, these commandos have been deployed mainly in Afghanistan and Mali. This does not exclude participation in other more specific operations. However, by their nature, commando units do not reveal their engagements. Therefore, to date, we cannot provide more information on the operational areas of the GCMs. Nevertheless, if we refer to the regiments to which the mountain commandos belong (as we will see below), we can assume that it is highly probable that mountain commandos are currently deployed in Cincu, Romania, to defend NATO's eastern flank.
Deaths of some GCMs in operation
The only data that regularly reaches public opinion about mountain commandos are the names and portraits of its members who have fallen on the field of honor. There were first three in Afghanistan. The tragic list began with Warrant Officer Laurent Pican.
Before two other commandos also died on mission on December 29, 2011. These were Major Mohammed El Gharrafi, and Staff Sergeant Damien Zingarelli. Both were deployed within Task Force La Fayette, and were shot by members of the Afghan regular army. In reality, behind the military uniforms, infiltrated Taliban used this position to assassinate Western soldiers. This type of attack is called "green on blue".
But the biggest tragedy that has struck the mountain commandos to date occurred in the heart of the Malian Sahel. During an anti-terrorist operation, two combat helicopters collided in a violent crash. All the soldiers involved in these two aircraft perished in this crash. Six mountain commandos died in this accident, which is to date the heaviest human toll for the GCMs.
Maxime Blasco, the best known of the mountain commandos
On September 24, 2021, still in the Sahel, but in Burkina Faso, a distinguished member of the mountain commandos fell on the field of honor: Corporal Maxime Blasco. He was hit by several shots from an ambushed jihadist at close range. This soldier is certainly the best known of the mountain commandos. Indeed, he had already received several military medals for his actions in the Sahelian band.
He had also given an interview to the France 2 television news, which had left a lasting impression. Finally, he had been honored with a national funeral. On this occasion, he was decorated by Emmanuel Macron as an officer of the Legion of Honor, and posthumously promoted to sergeant.
Integration into alpine hunter battalions
Mountain commandos are essentially part of the alpine hunter regiments. Thus, out of a total of 200 mountain commandos, no less than 90 are integrated into three alpine hunter regiments (the 7th, 13th and 27th).
But, in order to develop other operational skills, the rest of the mountain commandos are attached to four units: the 93rd Mountain Artillery Regiment, the 27th Mountain Command and Transmission Company, the 4th Hunter Regiment and the 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment.
Special techniques of mountain commandos
Mountain commandos possess certain particular techniques that they are the only ones to deploy in operation. Among them, the most remarkable and undoubtedly the twilight tactical flights in two-seater paragliding, which are used to exfiltrate people at night, discreetly (without engine, and without assistance).
They also use paragliding to transport heavy loads, or paragliding with skis, for high-altitude environments.
