France
Support to the Global War on Terror (Operation Enduring Freedom):
France
Historical perspective:
French commitment to OEF has been strong and resolute since the beginning of the operation.
The French liaison team to HQ USCENTCOM was established on 10 October 2001 to coordinate all matters/issues related to the French contribution to OEF.
As soon as United Nations Security Council Resolution 1378 was issued on 18 October 2001, France forces were sent in Afghanistan. Since October 21, French reconnaissance aircraft and air tankers have contributed to the air campaign. They were reinforced between the winter of 2001 and the summer of 2002 by French naval aviation forces and French air force transport planes and fighters. Indeed, France was the first country, along with the United States, to have flown bombing missions over Afghanistan in direct support of American ground troops. French forces arrived on the ground as early as 2 December 2001, securing Mazar-e-Sharif.
Since then, several tours have been completed by both Air Force and Navy air assets in support of OEF.
In total, some 5,500 French service members were sent to the region.
Today:
Today, the French OEF commitment is the following.
• Army: 200
Special Forces troops are fighting alongside American troops against the remnants of the Taliban by conducting armed reconnaissance in the south of Afghanistan.
• Navy: 300
Several French war ships are operating in Combined Task Force 150 along with the allies to fight against illegal maritime activities and to deter terrorism at sea. French contribution, two frigates in minimum, accounts for approximately a quarter of this OEF naval force.
France took command of CTF 150 on September 2003, June 2004 and August 2005, each time for a 4 months tour.
Besides these assets, one Maritime patrol aircraft deployed in Djibouti (ATL2) under national control is participating in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions of the AOR.
Regularly, the French aircraft carrier "Charles de gaulle" provides aerial support to OEF operations. At this time, French Super Etendard (SEM) fly RECCE and CAS missions over Afghanistan from Northern Arabian Sea.
• Air Force: 120
Based in Douchanbe (Tajikistan), two French C-160 perform regular missions to Kabul and Kandahar for logistical support. Regularly, The French provide aerial support to OEF operations. French Mirage 2000, Mirage F1 CR and C 160 fly CAS, RECCE and transport missions from Dushanbe (Tajikistan), refueling missions from Manas (Kyrgystan).
• Liaison teams:
France has embedded liaison officers at all HQ levels:
- Office of Military Cooperation (OMC-A) and Combined Forces Command (CFC-A) in Kabul
- Combined Task Force (CTF 76) in Bagram
- Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Mazar-e-Sharif and Konduz
- Combined Task Force Horn Of Africa (CJTF HOA) in Djibouti
- Regional Air Movement Coordination Center (AMCC) in Al-Udeid
- US Naval Central (NAVCENT) in Bahrain
Afghan National Army (ANA) training:
Since the very beginning, France has been a major partner in ANA training. In early 2002, France assumed responsibility for training three initial ANA battalions. In 2003, France specialized in providing officer training for the subsequent battalions. In addition, France has led the General Staff College lead in Kabul since its creation in February 2004. Two classes have already received training from French instructors. A third class began on 7 August 2004. Today, France focuses on company commander training.
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)
In addition to its OEF commitment, France is one of the main contributors to the NATO International Security Assistance Force. Since French Lt. Gen PY became the new ISAF Commander on 11 August 2004, France increased its troop strength. Today, out of approximately 6300 personnel in ISAF, 750 belong to the French armed forces. France is thus the United States’ second-largest partner in Afghanistan with a total of 1670 French troops.
In addition to being responsible for security of the Kabul Airport, the French ISAF battalion also helps to maintain a safe and secure environment by conducting daily patrols in northern Kabul.
The French battalion also performs Civil Military Operations in its area of operations to help Afghan people to rebuild their local economy and infrastructure (medical help, school building, well drilling etc.).