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The Groupement tactique interarmes de Kapisa (GTIA Kapisa, "joint tactical group of Kapisa"), also called Task Force Korrigan, [1] was a battalion-sized unit of the French Army, based in Kapisa Province, in Afghanistan. It operated in the framework of the French forces in Afghanistan.
GTIA Kapisa comprises
The support unit provides fire support, engineering, communications, maintenance and medical support.
The GTIA Kapisa operated under the Regional Command East headed by US general Curtis Scaparrotti. The other units of the French Army in Afghanistan operate under Regional Command Capital headed by French general Michel Stollsteiner.
From 15 June 2009, GTIA Kapisa has been constituted of the 3rd Marine Infantry Regiment (3rd RIMa), complemented with an armoured unit of the 1st Marine Infantry Regiment (1st RIMa), two engineering sections of the 6th Engineer Regiment (6th RG), two mortar sections of the 11th Marine Artillery Regiment (11th RAMa), and a communication group for the 48th RT. This amounts to 650 personnel.
The headquarters and one of the combat groups are positioned at Nijrab, while the other combat unit is based in Tagab.
On 1 November 2009, command of the GTIA was transferred to the Brigade La Fayette.
The foundation of the GTIA-Kapisa was announced by President Sarkozy on 3 April 2008, during the NATO summit in Bucarest. [2]
From August 2008 - January 2009, the GTIA-Kapisa was dubbed "Task Force Chimera". It comprised elements of
A company detached from the 8e RPIMa to the BatFra, and sustained casualties, 10 killed & 21 wounded, during the Uzbin Valley ambush on 18 August 2008.
Task Force Chimera sustained 15 wounded during its tour besides the 10 killed & 21 wounded, during the Uzbin Valley ambush on 18 August 2008.
From January 2009 to 15 June 2009, the GTIA-Kapisa was dubbed "Task Force Tiger", under Colonel Nicolas Le Nen. It comprised elements of
One of the most notable operations was the Battle of Alasay, on 14 March 2009.
Task Force Tiger sustained one dead (Corporal Nicolas Belda, killed during the Battle of Alasay), and one wounded.
From 15 June 2009 to 15 January 2010, the GTIA-Kapisa is dubbed "Task Force Korrigan", under colonel Chanson. [4] It comprises
In June, the French troops received reinforcements with eight CAESAR self-propelled howitzers. [5]
As of 1 November 2009, Task Force Korrigan had lost 7 killed and 44 wounded.
Kapisa is the smallest of Afghanistan's thirty-four provinces and is located in the north-east of the country. It has an estimated population of 496,840 people and an area of 1,842 km2 (711 sq mi), making it the most densely populated province apart from Kabul Province. It borders Panjshir Province to the north, Laghman Province to the east, Kabul Province to the south and Parwan Province to the west. Mahmud-i-Raqi is the provincial capital, while the most populous city and district of Kapisa is Nijrab.
The Troupes de Marine is a corps of the French Army that includes several specialities: infantry, artillery, armoured, airborne, engineering, and transmissions (Signals). Despite its name, it forms part of the Army, not the Navy. Intended for amphibious and overseas operations, the Troupes de marine have been, and still are, in all the fights of the French army. It has gradually become professionalized since 1970.
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