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Opération “Barkhane”

Le petit caporal

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For the attention of Oleg 84, I have heard rumours in Nîmes that reservists accompany the Legion in their deployment with Barkhane. Do you know if it's true? If so, are they holding the rank of sous-off' supérieur (my guess) and are they specialists in a domain that the regiment(s) is (are) lacking? Could be a sign of a low re-enlistment rate...
 

GuidoLovarini

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For the attention of Oleg 84, I have heard rumours in Nîmes that reservists accompany the Legion in their deployment with Barkhane. Do you know if it's true? If so, are they holding the rank of sous-off' supérieur (my guess) and are they specialists in a domain that the regiment(s) is (are) lacking? Could be a sign of a low re-enlistment rate...
A low re-enlistment rate for regular or Legion?
 

SnafuSmite

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A low re-enlistment rate for regular or legion?
Could just be that the reservists will stick to guarding bases and the like and provide certain capabilities that would tie down legionnaires into static roles. This allows the Legion to focus purely on the counter insurgency aspect and leaving the REMF stuff to the reservists.
 

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Could just be that the reservists will stick to guarding bases and the like and provide certain capabilities that would tie down legionnaires into static roles. This allows the Legion to focus purely on the counter insurgency aspect and leaving the REMF stuff to the reservists.
In this type of war there are no real “REMF” type of positions, since suicide bombers can strike even in rear bases as we've seen a few days ago. It's not uncommon to have reservists deployed in overseas missions. This happened for example in the past in ex-Yugoslavia. Generally they are ‘specialists’ in a domain where you cannot find similar competencies among the active personnel. I don't know if this is also the case for those reservists deployed in Opération Barkhane that Le Petit Caporal is mentioning.
 

Le petit caporal

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A low re-enlistment rate for regular or Legion?
BOTH, and it is chronic.

If you look closely at the VBCI see how the wheels were taken out. If this was a VBL or a VAB, none of the crew would have survived. The VBCI is designed to dislocate and absorb the “initial shock”. Apparently it worked in this situation. Will serve as a reference for future prototypes. (depending on budget allocated)
 

Le petit caporal

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Interesting report in tonight's edition of France 2 TV news. 4 drones (Reaper) are actually used by Barkhane for observation purposes. By next year, 2019, Barkhane will have 6 more with weapons. The report showed how Barkhane employs their drones. At one point they followed a small convoy of pick ups and with a very fine precision. Another, jihadists planting IEDs on a trail usually used by Barkhane detachments (fuds were dressed like monsieur nobody).
 

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Interesting report in tonight's edition of France 2 TV news. 4 drones (Reaper) are actually used by Barkhane for observation purposes. By next year, 2019, Barkhane will have 6 more with weapons. The report showed how Barkhane employs their drones. At one point they followed a small convoy of pick ups and with a very fine precision. Another, jihadists planting IEDs on a trail usually used by Barkhane detachments (fuds were dressed like monsieur nobody).
I watched the replay today, always get the 20h news the next day on replay. I was amazed to see that the drones had a flying distance of 23 hours and 300 Ks an hour.
 

Le petit caporal

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Did you see them buggers laying their IED,? New dromes with fire capacity will sort that sh*t
 

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There is some crazy stuff on the market, for the brits recently tested out the Brimstone missile on the Reaper which is great news, the Brimstone is designed that 3 missiles can sit on one hardpoint. The brimstone has roughly the same capabilities as a hellfire, so instead of 4 hellfires you can get 12 brimstones. And we've all seen the damage 1 hellfire can do, so imagine 12....
 

Le petit caporal

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Head point = Pod ?
New tatics to be employed as of...when !
Will explain later, if and when or if i decided to stay sober (dont haud yer breath coz it happening before next week. ..things to do,things to see and things to drink
 

Joseph Cosgrove

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Did you see them buggers laying their IED,? New dromes with fire capacity will sort that sh*t
I don't think I'd destroy them (the bad guys) while they were setting up the ambush. I'd wait until they were back in their base and celebrating. :coffee:
That means they'd also get the cooks. Everyone who is caught in the bad lands swears that they were only cooks.
 

Joseph Cosgrove

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I don't think that having a 1010 lb or a 485.1283 kg dropped in your front porch is going to make much difference on the receiving end.
 

Le petit caporal

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Side note to Barkhane
On June 29, 3 pseudo Serbian journalists (but actually Serbian military) were arrested at their arrival at Bamako, capital of Mali. By the Malian secret service (more than likely given by the French Intel services ?).
For a so called documentary on the candidate for the Presidental election, Soumaila Cisse. They were detained for a week in a secret location.

Before this presidental election there were the local /council /municipal elections. Was a total shambles... Between unsafe areas and lack of digital Id and counting the scrutin, many areas (villages went with out)

Ethnic tensions are at a high. Me thinks a civil war is the best way to describe Mali at the moment.

The ‘groupes armés’, who patrol with the FAMA (malian regulars) to secure zones, towns and villages etc. , are no more than devious nontrust worthy thugs with weapons. My opinion and mine alone. If any future wannabe eventually joins the Legion and gets posted to Mali, be prepared, be on your guard and trust no one other than your Chefs. Do not even strike up conversation with.
 
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