Commando Parachute Group
The Commando Parachute Group (French: Groupement des Commandos Parachutistes, GCP) is a unit of elite pathfinders within the French Army's 11th Parachute Brigade (11e BP). These pathfinders are paratroopers drawn from the various regiments of the brigade who then undertake GCP training and must pass various requirements. Referred to as "commandos paras" (para commandos), they numbered less than 250 men in 2015 out of the more than 8,000 paratroopers serving in the 11e BP. This unit belongs to GAOS (Groupement d'appui aux opérations spéciales) which belongs to COM FST (Commandement des forces spéciales terre)
| Commando Parachute Group | |
|---|---|
| Groupement des Commandos Parachutistes | |
shoulder sleeve insignia | |
| Active | 1965 - present |
| Country | France |
| Branch | French Army |
| Type | Airborne Light Infantry Special Forces Support |
| Role | • Pathfinding
• Deep Reconnaissance • Special Reconnaissance • Hostage Rescue • Raiding • Direct action • Foreign home defense • Unconventional Warfare • Information operations |
| Size | 19 Teams (around 250 men in total) |
| Part of | • Commandement de la force d'action terrestre • (GAOS) Groupement d'appui aux opérations spéciales |
| Nickname(s) | GCP |
| Insignia | |
| French Chuteur Opérationnel Brevet of Commando Parachute Group | |
The GCP also has what can be considered a sister unit within the French Army: the Groupement de Commandos de Montagne (Mountain Commando Group) or GCM, which is part of the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade. While the GCP members are exclusively selected from airborne regiments, GCM commandos are drawn from the French mountain units, notably from the Alpine Hunter battalions.