FORFUSCO

French Navy
(Marine Nationale)

Motto: Honneur, Patrie, Valeur, Discipline (“Honour, Homeland, Valour, Discipline”) Command Naval Ministers Maritime Prefect Components Naval Action Force Submarine Forces Strategic Oceanic Force (FOST) Squadron of Nuclear Attack Submarines (ESNA) Naval Aviation FORFUSCO (Marine Commandos, Naval Fusiliers) Maritime Gendarmerie Equipment Current fleet Current deployments Personnel Ranks in the French Navy History History of the French Navy Future of the French Navy Ensigns and pennants Historic ships Battleships Cruisers Ships of the line Sail frigates Historic fleets Awards Cross of War Military Medal Legion of Honour Ribbons

The Naval Infantry and Commandos Marine units are under command of the Force maritime des fusiliers marins et commandos (FORFUSCO) in Lorient. It is headed by a general officer with the title of Admiral commandant Les fusiliers marins et commandos (ALFUSCO).

This force carries out:

• Advanced force and reconnaissance operations from the sea
• Special operations
• Protection of key sites and vessels of the French Navy
• Provide security of elements of the naval forces.

A 2,500-man strong force, the FORFUSCO is the fourth organic force of the French Navy.

Naval Fusiliers

Groups and companies of marines are dedicated to the protection of sensitive Naval sites (military port, naval aviation base, communications transmission stations, ammunition depot). The marines are also an integral part of buildings as domestic service - called "bidellerie" in navy slang. There are seven companies of marines (CIFUSIL), which provide protection for the following sites:

• Military port of Cherbourg
• Submarine base in Île Longue and pyrotechnics in Guenvénez
• Naval aviation base in Lann Bihoué
• Communications center in Rosnay, Indre
• Communications center in Sainte-Assise, Seine-et-Marne
• Communications center in Villepinte France and South Saissac, Aude
• Naval aviation base in Lanvéoc-Poulmic (unit created on 1 September 2011 after the closure of the naval aviation base in Nimes-Garons)
• Naval Fusilier and Commando training center Lorient

These seven companies send detachments who take turns every four to six months to ensure the protection of the communications centers of Fort-de-France, Mahina Mahina Super and around Papeete, of Ouen Toro in Noumea, and Rufisque near Dakar . They also support operations of the Naval Commandos (Commandos Marine), augment boarding and landing parties and provide military training to the French navy.

Naval Commandos

Marine Commandos are trained to targeted actions in places where it is not feasible or appropriate to deploy a larger force. They are primarily used by the French Special Operations Command (COS) since 1992. They are seven in number: Commando Jaubert, Commando Ponchardier, Commando Trepel, Commando de Montfort, Commando de Penfentenyo, Commando Kieffer, and Commando Hubert, each with their own mission specialism. They have evolved to be broadly comparable to the British SBS.

See also

• List of French paratrooper units
• Fleet Protection Group, Royal Marines
• Special Boat Service

External links

• Marines and navy commandos Site of the Navy
• instruction n° 31/DEF/EMM/PL/ORA June 16, 2005 ron the organization of the FORFUSCO
• Les fusiliers marins et les commandos marine - Musée Site of the national Navy
• Les fusiliers marins et les commandos marine - Magazine LE LIEN Official Website Magazine
• Les fusiliers marins et les commandos marine - École School site marines marine commandos