In the incident of 25 November 2019, when an attack helicopter Tigre and one for transport Puma they clashed in the skies of Mali (causing the death of 13 French soldiers), during a raid against a jihadist group, on board the second there were also 4 soldiers of the GCM (Groupement de Commandos de Montagne), part of the BIM (Brigade d 'Infanterie de Montagne).
Little known among the French special forces family, they are currently heavily engaged in Mali - Operation Barkhane - against jihadist groups, often cooperating with the 4th RHFS (Régiment d'Hélicoptères des Forces Spéciales). The commando / helicopter duo is achieving great successes in the Sahel, as the jihadists move quickly, in small groups, often aboard Toyota pick-ups loaded with machine guns and rocket launchers, so it becomes essential to prevent them, ambushing them when they think they are aloof. sure.
Their aim is to exert permanent pressure on armed terrorist groups, both through planned operations and through rapid incursions across Mali. Several important missions have been conducted in recent months, making it possible to eliminate several jihadists and recover large quantities of weapons and ammunition.
The mountains are the natural environment for GCM operators in France, a dangerous environment that requires extreme attention. Thanks to this training, operators are able to carry out missions in various operational theaters, often against objectives of high strategic value.
The recruitment of operators is very selective. All of them come from the mountain troops and are established sportsmen. "We are employed as elite infantrymen but in fact we are combined specialties: we also have among us knights, engineers, transmitters or gunners" specifies a department officer.
This diversity allows the group to bring together all the skills necessary for special actions, often carried out in total autonomy, such as in-depth reconnaissance missions in urban areas, fighting in forest and desert environments, in-depth raids aboard light vehicles.
The direct attack missions behind enemy lines remain at the center of the operational activities of the GCM operators.
“My men are not mere executors, I consider them all managers. Our missions require professionalism and accuracy in risk assessment. Our offensive actions are designed to neutralize difficult objectives of high strategic value ", adds the French officer.
Photo: Ministère des Armées
