troung

French warplane bombs Taliban targets

AFP
Friday, November 10, 2006 01:24 IST

PARIS: A French Mirage 2000-D warplane last month used a laser-guided bomb against Taliban units in the south of Afghanistan, the defence ministry in Paris said on Thursday.

The target on the ground was designated by US and British troops engaged with Taliban fighters, the ministry said, adding that it had been hit. The incident took place on October 30.

In the past four months, French aircraft have opened fire eight times in Afghanistan, it said.

The Mirage's action was part of the Serpentaire air support mission. Three fighters are based at Dushanbe in Tajikistan and a C-135 refuelling aircaft at Manas in Kirghizstan.

They are part of France's contribution to Operation "Enduring Freedom" and support for the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1063238

__________________
To sit down with these men and deal with them as the representatives of an enlightened and civilized people is to deride ones own dignity and to invite the disaster of their treachery - General Matthew Ridgway

troung

France to pull troops from Afghanistan

By ELAINE GANLEY, Associated Press Writer
Sun Dec 17, 11:52 AM ET

France is to withdraw its 200-strong special forces from Afghanistan, all of its ground troops engaged in the U.S anti-terror operation there, authorities announced Sunday.

The decision to pull the elite troops, based in the southeastern city of Jalalabad, comes as the Taliban militia are gaining strength despite the strong engagement — some 32,800 troops — in NATO's International Security Assistance Force. France has balked at sending its 1,100-strong NATO contingent outside the relatively safe Afghan capital, Kabul.

"There is a general reorganization of our (troops)," Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said during a visit to Afghanistan. The minister's remarks were aired on France-Info radio.

Among planned changes is a "withdrawal of special forces from Jalalabad in the coming weeks," she said.

The NATO contingent will remain in Afghanistan, Capt. Sebastien Caron, Defense Ministry press officer, said in Paris.

On Saturday, U.S. Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record) said Afghan, U.S., Canadian, British and Dutch forces have done most of the fighting in Afghanistan over the past year at a time when ambushes, suicide bombings and other attacks have multiplied. Those nations have also borne the brunt of the casualties, and McCain called on NATO nations to send troops into more dangerous areas of Afghanistan.

The elite troops have been deployed in southeastern Afghanistan since July 2003 to help bolster the fight against al-Qaida and the Taliban and the search for al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

Caron said the decision to withdraw the French special forces was made "in concert with our partners, notably the Americans."

Despite the pullout, Alliot-Marie said that France intends to maintain its air power "which has backed up coalition forces numerous times" and is adding two helicopters in the advanced zone between Jalalabad, in the southeast, and Kabul.

She said that France also plans to train Afghan special forces "because it appears important to us that the Afghans see that it is their own forces which are retaking the theater" of war.

troung

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/7...0500020005.htm

France to deploy Rafale fighter jet in Afghanistan

Agence France-Presse

Paris, November 29, 2006|17:54 IST
The French air force said on Wednesday it has asked President Jacques Chirac to approve the deployment of the new Rafale fighter jet in Afghanistan next year, for the plane's first major operational test.

"We want the Rafale, which has been in use by the air force since June, to take part in a mission above Afghanistan to highlight its operational capacity," air force spokesman Frederic Solano said.

"We have tested it in France and abroad in an exercise. Now it has to prove itself in action," he said.

The Rafale has so far taken part in sky patrol operations on French territory as well as in NATO's latest annual exercise in Spain.

The multi-role combat aircraft -- the pride of France's Dassault Aviation -- has yet to be exported and so far counts the French military as its sole client.

It would be deployed in Afghanistan as part of the Serpentaire air support mission, which currently has three Mirage fighters based at Dushanbe in Tajikistan and a C-135 refuelling aircaft at Manas in Kirghizstan.

The aircraft are part of France's contribution to Operation "Enduring Freedom" and support for the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.

highsea

So they're not sending it to support the mission, but to "highlight it's capacity".

Iow, they need a new sales pitch. Beautiful. So after it drops a few PGM's, they will send it back home so it doesn't get scratched.

__________________
My baby called me up. She said- Why don't you ever take me out? Pick me up in your brand new car....You shake the short change from the old fruit jar...

troung

Well they gotta drop bombs on someone with the plane...

Archer

Whats the problem if a few Talibunnies cop it in the process?

__________________
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My bow is stretched for its task

highsea

No problems with Talebans getting it.

It's the use of the war to enhance the Rafale sales brochure that's a little distasteful, imo.What happens after they make their videos? Planes go back home and the hell with the troops on the ground?

Archer

But all countries the world over like to test their latest doodads in conflict. India tried the Pinaka at Kargil, the Russians have been using Chechnya for testing their Ka-50's, Buratino Thermobaric tanks etc etc. Am sure, the US would be doing likewise too..I mean combat experience is definitely of key interest to most militaries.

It would be distasteful if they just used it for PR and left however. But even here iirc, the French did deploy some 10 Mirage 2000-5s for strike over Afghanistan since ISAF went in. And the Rafales would just add to that. It'd be interesting to see how many aircraft they still have in theater...

Archer

The above report speaks of :

"

The multi-role combat aircraft -- the pride of France's Dassault Aviation -- has yet to be exported and so far counts the French military as its sole client.

It would be deployed in Afghanistan as part of the Serpentaire air support mission, which currently has three Mirage fighters based at Dushanbe in Tajikistan and a C-135 refuelling aircaft at Manas in Kirghizstan."

Three fighters is a bit too less imho, for France to have contributed.

Are there any French members of WAB who could comment?

Francois?

troung

France will probably fly a couple of hundred missions; helps make sure all bugs are out of the Rafale, allows them to call the plane battle tested and supports a NATO effort. All around win for the French.


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France’s engagement in Afghanistan
http://www.ambafrance-us.org/news/st...tan_121106.asp

The NATO summit (Riga, November 28 and 29, 2006) was devoted mainly to Afghanistan. On that occasion, the President of the Republic laid out new developments in France’s military contribution to operations in that country, as part of a global strategy and a reaffirmed political and economic process. These latest developments are motivated by the will to tailor the French deployment to NATO and Afghan needs.


These military evolutions are threefold:

1) In the Kabul zone, which is under France’s command until April 2007, the French military deployment will be reinforced.
2) Conditions of the French Forces’ deployment outside that zone will be relaxed. The President announced that French troops could be deployed outside the Kabul zone, if need be, and based on the assessment of the situation and engagement conditions. The decision will be made on a case by case basis, actually in a comparable manner to what is being done with British troops.
3) France’s commitment to the training of Afghan Armed Forces will be strengthened.

French military contribution to Afghanistan

As part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), France has committed 1,100 military personnel to the Kabul Regional Capital Command (RCC). Since August 6, 2006, it has been in command of that zone, which includes several other contingents from Italy, Turkey, Germany, Greece, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Albania, Macedonia, etc…). The French battalion carries on its monitoring and security missions north of that zone, in the Shamali and Deh Sabz plains. On October 16, it took over from the United Kingdom the responsibility of the Surobi region. It participates in alert duty tours on the RCC rapid reaction force.

As part of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), France has been contributing since 2003 to anti-terrorism missions with 200 Special Forces fighting alongside American Forces.
France has also been an active maritime participant in Operation Enduring Freedom. Its missions include preventing terrorist movements between the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa, fighting illegal trafficking and protecting offshore oil facilities.

Air support to ISAF and OEF: with 3 Mirage 2000D and 2 C160 based at Dushanbe Air Force Base (Tajikistan), as well as 2 C135 refueling tankers based at Manas (Kyrgyzstan), France conducts daily fire support, refueling, reconnaissance and logistics operations. This deployment is regularly reinforced with the deployment of additional Mirage aircraft (3 Mirage F1CR from June 15 to August 28, 2006) and with the presence of CVN “Charles de Gaulle” in the Indian Ocean (3 long-term deployments since 2001).

Training of the Afghan National Army (ANA) Personnel: France participates in the operational training of the Afghan National Army units (OMLT and Task Force Phoenix). Since 2003, it has refocused its efforts on training Afghan officers (simultaneously, Great Britain and New Zealand are responsible for the training of non commissioned officers, while the United States trains enlisted personnel).

On going changes to French deployment in Afghanistan

1) France is reinforcing the mobility of its deployment in the Kabul area by sending EC-725 maneuver helicopters for troop airlifts and medevac missions (40 service personnel, 2 11-ton helicopters).
2) France is maintaining and strengthening its military deployment. It is reinforcing its battalion with additional maneuver capabilities by deploying two additional infantry sections (60 military personnel, 6 armored vehicles).
In 2007, it will maintain its air support deployment to ISAF and OEF, which it will reinforce in the spring with the presence of its CVN battle group.
As part of the extension of ISAF operational zone and OEF downsizing (10,000 U.S. personnel transferred from OED to ISAF), France will withdraw, at the beginning of 2007, its OEF Special Forces, which are urgently needed on other theaters of operations.
3) France is increasing the number of personnel assigned to OMLT to train the Afghan National Army.

Conclusion

France is one of the top military contributors in Afghanistan and it currently assumes major command duties, notably in the Kabul area. France is not imposing any “caveat” to the operational use of its forces, which it can even render more flexible and mobile.

France’s new military deployment is part of a global political strategy in Afghanistan so that progress in terms of security can rapidly lead the way to the implementation of that nation’s development process.


Embassy of France in the United States

troung

No Mirage 2000-5Cs were sent. They used to have 6 Mirage 2000Ds flying out of Manas (with Duchanbe in Tajikistan as a divert field) back in late February2002. On March 4th they conducted their first CAS missions. Within 2 months they had conducted 220 combat sorties over Afghanistan including dropping bombs in support of Operation Anaconda. They dropped 47 GBU-12 laser guided bombs up until October.

Three Mirage-2000Ds is better then nothing and if needed they can get quite busy. The planes are making use of LGBs and are able to operate with NATO G-FACs.

Still would be nice to have one or two Mirage 2000D squads and a couple of combat regiments from the Legion and Marines along with teams from the COS; but France is stretched as well.

troung

7 months ago..

French Military Starts Second Phase of OEF Support
By Capt. Géry Balcerski
Special to American Forces Press Service


BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, June 12, 2006 – The French military started its second phase of air operations in Afghanistan on May 26.
Dubbed "Operation Serpentaire," for Serpent-Eater, French aviators have performed close-air support and tactical reconnaissance missions supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and the International Security Assistance Force. This phase of the operation will support coalition efforts until October.

A contingent of 21 French servicemembers here have coordinated French air assets over Afghanistan as part of Combined Joint Task Force 76.

In its first phase, from May 5-25, the French carrier air group, based at Camp Cherry-Beasley here since April 8, participated in both OEF and ISAF missions. They performed about 7 percent of OEF missions.

This phase ended with the departure of the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle from the Indian Ocean on May 25 and the arrival of French air force fighters in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Aircraft departing from the Charles de Gaulle flew 500 miles with four mid-air refuelings en route to their areas in the Kandahar and Uruzgan regions of southern Afghanistan.

In addition to the Bagram French Detachment, French teams are also stationed in Kabul and southern regions of Afghanistan as well as at a base of operations in Southwest Asia.

(French Capt. Géry Balcerski is assigned to the French Air Force Detachment Bagram.)

troung

France’s involvement in Afghanistan
A total of 1,800 French troops are involved in the stabilization of Afghanistan, including the French Navy’s contribution to Operation Enduring Freedom.

900 French troops are deployed in that country as part of the International Security Assistance Force. France is also playing a significant role in training the Afghan national army, alongside the U.S. and the United Kingdom, having initially organized three Afghan battalions of 500 men and being presently involved in the training of all Afghan officers. Additionally, 200 special troops are involved alongside American troops in the fight against the remnants of the Taliban regime in southern Afghanistan.

In the wake of the 9/11 tragedy, France offered its military resources and capabilities to support the American-led military campaign, Operation Enduring Freedom, in Afghanistan. Immediately, the exchanges of information between our naval commanders increased, particularly in the Indian Ocean, thus intensifying the fight against all types of trafficking.

Since October 21, 2001, French reconnaissance aircraft and air tankers have contributed to the air campaign over Afghanistan. They were reinforced from the winter of 2001 to the summer of 2002 by French naval aviation forces and French Air Force transport planes and fighters. Indeed, France was the only country, along with the United States, to have flown bombing missions over Afghanistan in direct support of American ground troops, in particular during Operation Anaconda. From October 23, 2001 to September 30, 2002, a total of 12,000 flying hours were conducted in support of operations in Afghanistan. The Mirage 2000D and Super Etendard destroyed 33 targets linked to Al Qaeda or the Taliban regime in direct support of American Special Forces. Today, 130 military are based in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, helping to operate the airport and supporting 2 transport aircraft engaged in the support of the French contingent in Afghanistan.

French forces arrived early on the ground in Afghanistan. From December 2, 2001 to January 27, 2002, a reinforced company secured in Mazar-e-Sharif the detachment of U.S. engineers repairing the airfield in order to fly in humanitarian assistance. In total, some 5,500 French soldiers were sent to the region.

The French Navy continues to patrol the Gulf of Aden and the Gulf of Oman. It has been monitoring commercial sea lanes, detecting and boarding suspicious vessels, as well as escorting coalition boats through the area since December 2001. France is the second largest contributor to the maritime task force in charge of this mission.

The French armed forces

troung

http://www.brookings.edu/fp/cusf/analysis/shapiro.pdf

THE ROLE OF FRANCE IN THE WAR ON TERRORISM
Jeremy Shapiro, Associate Director, Center on the United States and France
and Research Associate, Foreign Policy Studies, Brookings Institution

Clippings...

troung

- Taliban more aggressive and more numerous : French admiral
ON BOARD THE CHARLES DE GAULLE AIRCRAFT CARRIER,

May 21, 2006 (AFP) - Taliban rebels in southern Afghanistan have become much more aggressive as their numbers and confidence have increased, the officer heading French forces providing support to coalition forces in the country said Sunday. "We can clearly see, now that we’re in the area... that they are a lot more aggressive", Rear Admiral Xavier Magne noted. Since May 5, the air and sea forces he commands have been providing daily backup to the NATO coalition forces that are fighting the Taliban uprising. "Comparing the tasks our troops were presented with at the beginning and those they are facing now, you can tell they are having more problems now, which means there are much greater concentrations of rebels," the admiral said at a news conference on board the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea. Magne cited the very heavy toll from fighting since Wednesday as evidence. Nearly 200 rebels have died, along with two French special forces soldiers in southeastern Afghanistan and one Canadian captain in the south of the country.
He also noted that the Taliban were using different techniques. They initially limited their activity to suicide bombings and explosions of makeshift devices, but in recent weeks relatively large groups of rebel forces had been engaging in open combat. "With homemade bombs... they can only kill small numbers," Magne noted. "Now they’re attacking with proper armed units, but they know they’ve got time on their side". He said he expected the rebels would try to overcome the coalition "by wearing it out". French Super-Etendard fighter planes have been carrying out dozens of missions in support of France’s special forces and other coalition troops operating in southern Afghanistan, as well as reconnaissance flights. France has around 200 special forces troops participating in "Operation Enduring Freedom" in the south and east of the central Asian country.
The admiral said the Taliban had regained a degree of initiative, but added : "There is also a coalition plan in place, which aims... to move them away from areas where daily life has started to function again". The coalition’s mission was to "isolate the rebels in areas where they can do less harm" and then to try to eliminate them once they had been isolated, Magne explained. The Charles de Gaulle is due to end its air support and reconnaissance campaign on May 23 after nearly three weeks of flights over Afghan territory. The French air force will carry out similar missions from a base in Tajikistan thereafter

- Taliban more aggressive and more numerous : French admiral