2e REP elements dropped between Libya and Niger

[Rapace]

The French MoD announced that, as part of “Opération Barkhane” 3 platoons of 2e REP were dropped last night in the area of the Salvador pass, between Niger and Libya. The Salvador pass is a natural communication line between the two countries and is often used by the jihadists to travel between Libya, Niger, Algeria and Mali. It's not said whether any engagement took place so far. More info on this probably later.

Edit : actually the operation took place on 7 April, but was only announced today.

Below a map showing the location.

View attachment 5117

 

[Wigan1992]

Does the report mention they parachuted in or was they dropped by vehicle?

 

[Don Pedro]

Does the report mention they parachuted in or was they dropped by vehicle?

Surely wasn't on dromadaires (the ones with one tit, camels has 2) backs . Air Drop, vehicles would draw attention, from start to destination. Gosh, you must have been snoozing during tactical lessons.

 

[Wigan1992]

No Don Pedro I was wide awake. It's just with my experience of airbourne forces in Britain, when they say x y and z have been deployed you can guarantee it wasn't via an air drop as the last time they parachuted into combat was ww2... Which again is a refreshing difference to the Legion jumping in doing what there trained to do, I understand what your saying though mate .. And you proberly know they was airdropped in without checking because you know the Legion way.

 

[Rapace]

Does the report mention they parachuted in or was they dropped by vehicle?

No, regular airdrop (with parachutes). Strangely this operation received very little publicity so far... IMHO given the small size of the detachment it was probably targeting a specific individual (or group of individuals). May be a convoy coming from / going to Libya. We'll see.

 

[Wigan1992]

Thanks Rapace certainly one to keep our eyes on then, would of thought they where facing more than a group of individuals having deployed 3 platoons though?

 

[Troubadour]

An Airborne unit that is still making combat jumps! Feckin' bad mofos. The last U.S jump I am aware of, was done into friendly territory just so people could get their combat jump wings back in like 2003.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/airborne-jumps.htm

Looks like Rangers did a freefall jump in 2005 though, but other than that the last real jump was into Afghanistan in 2001. Combat jumps always make me pumped for some reason, it's just the most badass way to deploy that I can think of.

 

[Don Pedro]

One for diversion, one for support and one for the assualt. Like rock climbing, always 3 grabbing or support points.

 

[Wigan1992]

An Airborne unit that is still making combat jumps! Feckin' bad mofos. The last U.S jump I am aware of, was done into friendly territory just so people could get their combat jump wings back in like 2003.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/airborne-jumps.htm

Looks like Rangers did a freefall jump in 2005 though, but other than that the last real jump was into Afghanistan in 2001. Combat jumps always make me pumped for some reason, it's just the most badass way to deploy that I can think of.

No apart from special forces regiments no British or American units parachuted into Afghan as far as regular airbourne forces are concered... Jumping on to a friendly DZ doesn't count my friend.

 

[DarthShizNit]

Given the fact that a large number of Libyan Jihadist have claimed loyalty to ISIS recently, the French could very well be the be among the first western power to find themselves tangling with them in a ground fight in one of these border guarding actions.

 

[Don Pedro]

Given the fact that a large number of Libyan Jihadist have claimed loyalty to ISIS recently, the French could very well be the be among the first western power to find themselves tangling with them in a ground fight in one of these border guarding actions.

Sounds familiar, to me, what's his name of that Texan clown...

 

[Wigan1992]

I think it's inevitable that the Legion will at some point be knocking at ISIS's door... What a sorry day that will be for them may I add.

 

[voltigeur]

(...) What a sorry day that will be for them may I add.

Never under estimate the capabilities of the enemy.

 

[mark wake]

Never under estimate the capabilities of the enemy.

Never under estimate the 2eme REP either!

 

[loustic]

No Don Pedro I was wide awake. It's just with my experience of airbourne forces in Britain, when they say x y and z have been deployed you can guarantee it wasn't via an air drop as the last time they parachuted into combat was ww2... Which again is a refreshing difference to the Legion jumping in doing what there trained to do, I understand what your saying though mate .. And you proberly know they was airdropped in without checking because you know the Legion way.

The last time 2 REP was ‘deployed’ it was to jump on Timbuktu, in Mali, in 2013. Two Cies were concerned : 2nd and 3rd Cie. Any idea which Cie was dropped this time, taking in account that the best prepared are the 2nd cie because it is the mountain cie, but they are on VIGIPIRATE in Paris, so they cannot be in Africa ! They won't be pleased when they discover they missed the feast !

 

[mark wake]

Hope it's my old company the 1ere cie. But we shall have to wait and see bro!

 

[DarthShizNit]

It's the middle of the desert, so it's only logical they would drop the amphibious cie!

 

[Rapace]

The last time 2 REP was ‘deployed’ it was to jump on Timbuktu, in Mali, in 2013. Two Cies were concerned : 2nd and 3rd Cie. Any idea which Cie was dropped this time, taking in account that the best prepared are the 2nd cie because it is the mountain cie, but they are on VIGIPIRATE in Paris, so they cannot be in Africa ! They won't be pleased when they discover they missed the feast !

No details given (or ‘leaked’) so far... Seems like the MoD wants to keep the whole stuff very low key. May be because the 2e REP elements were dropped in a place where they were not supposed to be? Only pure speculation on my part, don't take it as anything close to verified information.

Below a video of the early days of ‘Opération Serval’ in Jan 2013, with, among other things, the preparation and the night drop on Timbuktu. Loustic, some faces may be familiar to you... One can also Rafale fighters being prepared by the Air Forces guys (and gals...) for a sortie.

[video=youtube;zGDIDGMcbaM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGDIDGMcbaM[/video]

 

[Nickfury]

Well it's all speculation till we have concrete details.

But I'd wager if they were after a group or some high value target that the REP platoons are acting as security and heavy firepower for one of France's special ops units. There was talk in the past of having the REP take on a role similar to the U.S. Army Rangers who often accompany Delta Force on missions as backup and security while Delta gets to work. They were never there for show as they were engaged many times.

They could just be using the REP in this role ‘unofficially’ in the absence of an official designation and role.
Of course I could be wrong.... but then again, maybe not...

 

[Rapace]

(...) But I'd wager if they were after a group or some high value target that the REP platoons are acting as security and heavy firepower for one of France's special ops units. There was talk in the past of having the REP take on a role similar to the U.S. Army Rangers who often accompany Delta Force on missions as backup and security while Delta gets to work. They were never there for show as they were engaged many times. (...)

Sure... It's definitely a 'plausible' scenario.

Below a link to an article on RFI (Radio France Internationale) website. They confirm that an OAP (Opération Aéro-portée), the French term for combat jump took place near the Salvador pass. The operation was done in collaboration with ground troops of the Niger army. No details given about the unit involved and the number of paras dropped.
The goal was clearly to intercept elements going to or coming from Libya. A number of suspects were captured with radio com equipment and binoculars that were probably spotters. The main convoy targeted apparently managed to go through.

Salvador pass operation

First time elements of ‘Opération Barkhane’ are deployed so up North...