French Patches from SGTIAs - GTIAs/BATTLEGROUPS in Afghanistan

French Patches from SGTIAs - GTIAs/BATTLEGROUPS in Afghanistan

I introduced the term GTIA (Groupement Tactique Interarme) in my thread concerning French Task Forces in Afghanistan. SGTIA si for Sous-Groupement tactique Interarme.

I you read French Department of Defense and units reports on their own websites , you will find a multitude of Task Forces X, Y or Z which were belonging to the French Military Forces deployment in Afghanistan until 2010.

As our country is belonging to ISAF and that NATO terminologies concerning hierarchy and organization of units have to fit with US ones, the term Task Force used by french troops during their tempory six month's mandate' activities in Afghanistan seems to be abandoned those days (There are few exceptions anyway).

Until the 1st November 2009, the BATFRA(Bataillon Français de Kaboul) was the most important unit in Afghanistan. Located in Camp Warehouse in Kaboul and at the Tora's FOB (Surobi's distric). In fact, the first GTIA/Battle Group. The second Battle Group was GTIA Kapisa formed in August 2008.

The TASK FORCE LA FAYETTE which was created on 1st of November of 2009 is composed with two GTIAs (in short two BATTLEGROUPS). Their composition is changing at each mandate.

- GTIA SUROBI which was formly composed of troops from Kaboul(BATFRA).
Mandates since 2009 are :
2009-2010 : Battle Group ALTOR
Summer 2010 : Battle Group BISON
Winter 2010-2011 : Battle Group RICHELIEU
Summer 2011 : Battle Group QUINZE-DEUX

- GTIA KAPISA.
Mandates since 2009 are :
2009-2010 : Battle Group BLACK ROCK
Summer 2010 : Battle Group HERMES
Winter 2010-2011 :Battle Group ALLOBROGES
Summer 2011 : Battle Group RAPTOR

A part from that, the TF LA FAYETTE is composed of Battalions as BATHELICO and BCS (Bataillon de Commandement et de Soutien).

I think it was important to introduce you to the french military organization before posting some patches related to Battlegroups.

Shoulder patches/tabs from GTIAs as well as Battlegroups have a standard size which is 2 x 6cm. Most of the time, you find them on the left shoulder. Colour used around the border is the usual colour you could find in a typical Regiment and it is probably linked to companies (Grey, Blue, Dark Blue, Red, Green, Yellow...)

BATFRA Patch




GTIA SUROBI


BATTLE GROUP ALTOR (2.REP, 17.RGP, 35.RAP, Armor.Gp./1.RHP)

The Task Force Korrigan (3rd RIMa) was in Afghanistan from June to December 2009.

The symbolism DETALAT Kabul was far from the standards of NATO. To overcome this handicap crews had to show their expertise and professionalism. They also allièrent humor in calling itself "French-Suicide Bomber Helicopter Team Kabul" ("French Team in Kabul suicide bomber helicopter").

Patch Creator designed jointly by the sergeants and Chief Parichon Julien, 1 RHC Cougar drivers during the first term from September 2007 to January 2008.

Patch Task Force Lafayette for Tiger helicopter pilot.

2nd REP Group Combat (Foreign Legion)

The Task Force Korrigan (3rd RIMa) was in Afghanistan from June to December 2009.

Absolutly, as Task Force Tiger. Both belonging to GTIA KAPISA as SGTIA , I guess. Then Battle Group BLACK ROCK.

Morning JY, it a really appreciated to introduce french army organisation to us, we will understand very well when you show us some patches or anything else. Your introduction is clear and simple. I look forward to see more patches from french army

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The Battle Group ALLOBROGES ended his mandate in Afghanistan few days ago.
I get few patches from a former menber on the 7e BCA (Bataillon de Chasseurs Alpins).

BATTLE GROUP ALLOBROGES

The Allobroges were a Celtic tribe which was located in an aera where you have the Savoie' region now. This 800 men' Battle Group is mainly composed of Mountain Troops from the 7e Bataillon de Chasseurs Alpins (7e BCA) which is located in Bourg-St-Maurice (Savoie).

Other elements are soldiers from : 93e Régiment d'Artillerie de Montagne (93e RAM), 4e Régiment de Chasseurs (4e RC), 2e Régiment Etranger de Génie (2e REG), 132e Bataillon Cynophile de l'Armée de Terre (132e BCAT) & 92e Régiment d'Infanterie (92e RI).

- The Patch
The information I get from the veteran is that the patch has been made in Belgium. At the bottom of the patch, you will find the 7e BCA insignea; traditional Chasseurs symbol; the horn and a Devil as they fought in the Hartmannswillerkopf during WWI. They were nicknamed Blue Devils by Germans.

If the ISAF is on the right shoulder, the patch will be on the left but usual place is on the right with the french flag on the left. Note that they also produced a rectangular Patch/Tab BG ALLOBROGES with borders Yellow and Blue (French Mountain Troops traditional colors).



In Memoriam.
Portrait of Pfc Clément CHAMARIER (3/7e BCA) KIA on 19/02/2011. He was 19.


Battle Group ALLOBROGES rectangular Tab/Patch as described before. (Source : EMA)



Battle Group ALLOBROGES has also his SGTIAs. For exemple the 4e Company of the 7e BCA (Symbol is a wolf) coded Mountain Team Group IRON. The patch and a photo taken during Opération ALLOBROGES ENDURANCE on 23/02/2011 (Source : EMA).





The Mountain Team Iron also some Combat teams. Patches from Teams 22 & 23.

Again more cool info/ history and pics...great!!!

Respect and RIP-Pfc Clément CHAMARIER.

Hi, received this morning:

Altor Green Patch

received this morning:

Patch NCC France
NCC France is the new name of the former REPFRANCE. This staff includes a number of sensitive functions of the theater, especially anything that relates to the rules of engagement, but also the intelligence and logistics of the theater. Based in Warehouse, it uses a little less than a hundred soldiers.

Hi this patche is really interesting, I knew Repfrance, but not the new one, thnaks for sharing us!!!

Hello, patch received this morning:
Battalion Command and Support (BCS) Operation Pamir

Nice patch

Good catch !

Funny the data files fixed on the Scania truck. It sounds like this photo has been taken in Eurosatory !?

Hi what's that Eurosatory???

Well, it is an international professional business exhibition dedicated to new technologies concerning Land Security and Defence. The next will in 2012. It's taking place in France.

Thanks Guys, more cool patches, and info

Patch low visibility T. E.du CPA 20 (Parachute Commando Air No. 20).
Symbolic in a riflescope, a sword,
the wing of the Air Force (which owns this commando)
and a sniper rifle.

Altor yellow

Did you see the soldier with the "chef" black beret on....LOL. Talk about lax uniform standard.

Cheers ~

Nice sniper patch used by the french commando air

MyZone wrote:Did you see the soldier with the "chef" black beret on....LOL. Talk about lax uniform standard.

Cheers ~

You speak about this kind of beret or I didn't understand you ?



If you speak about these berets, in fact that's for mountain infantry troops. That're their real berets We call them "chasseurs alpins". you can find some more pictures of them at this link.

Nice patches guys !!! I don't collect french stuff, but I appreciate you share it with us !

Well, the ALTOR patch with yellow edge has been posted already at the begining of this thread.
I opened a thread for official/non-official patch as CPA 20' one here https://oefoif.forumotion.net/t1765-french-patches

Hello, here is my patch of the 7th BCA (Battalion of Alpine Hunters) in Afghanistan.

This is the patch for now the most expensive I bought ...

Nice patch from mountain division

Well, similar to the one I already posted. Anyway, french patches are expensive on Ebay. I must say, 20,25 € is not so far from the price I paid mine.

Hi It s really too expensive for a patch. So how much did you yours???