Groupement tactique interarmes de Kapisa
Encyclopedia
The Groupement tactique interarmes de Kapisa (GTIA Kapisa, "joint tactical group of Kapisa"), also called Task Force Korrigan, is a battalion-sized unit of the French Army, based in Kapisa Province
, in Afghanistan. It operates in the framework of the French forces in Afghanistan
.
The support unit provides fire support, engineering, communications, maintenance and medical support.
The GTIA Kapisa operates 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 RIMa, complemented with an armoured unit of the 1st RIMa, two engineering sections of the 6th RG, two mortar sections of the 11th RAMa, and a communication group for the 48th RT. This amounts to 650 personnel.
The headquarter 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
.
A company detached from the 8e RPIMa to the BatFra, and sustained casualties during the Uzbin Valley ambush
on 18 August 2008.
Task Force Chimera sustained 15 wounded during its tour.
. 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.
In June, the French troops received reinforcements with eight CAESAR self-propelled howitzers.
As of the 1 November 2009, Task Force Korrigan had lost 7 killed and 44 wounded.
Kapisa Province
Kapisa is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the north-east of the country. Its capital is Mahmud-i-Raqi, and other districts include Kohistan, Nijrab and Tagab. The population of Kapisa is estimated to be 364,900, although there has never been an official estimate...
, in Afghanistan. It operates in the framework of the French forces in Afghanistan
French forces in Afghanistan
French forces in Afghanistan have been involved in the ongoing War in Afghanistan since late 2001. They operate within two distinct frameworks:* the International Security Assistance Force , carried out by NATO on a United Nations mandate...
.
Organisation
GTIA Kapisa comprises- a command component
- a support component
- two armoured infantry sub-groups
The support unit provides fire support, engineering, communications, maintenance and medical support.
The GTIA Kapisa operates under the Regional Command East
Regional Command East
Regional Command is an international military formation, of roughly division size, which is one of the components of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. The United States Army has usually provided the force headquarters...
headed by US general Curtis Scaparrotti
Curtis Scaparrotti
Curtis Michael "Mike" Scaparrotti is a Lieutenant General in the United States Army, and is the current Commander, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command and Deputy Commander, U.S. Forces – Afghanistan. He is the former commander of I Corps and Joint Base Lewis-McChord...
. The other units of the French Army in Afghanistan operate under Regional Command Capital
Regional Command Capital
Regional Command Capital is a multinational military formation, part of the International Security Assistance Force. The headquarters is in Kabul. Since 6 August 2006, Regional Command Capital is the new name given to the former Kabul Multinational Brigade...
headed by French general Michel Stollsteiner
Michel Stollsteiner
Michel Stollsteiner is a French general. He was one of the five regional NATO commanders in Afghanistan, and was the highest-ranking French officer in Afghanistan between 6 August 2008 and 10 July 2009.- Career :...
.
From 15 June 2009, GTIA Kapisa has been constituted of the 3rd RIMa, complemented with an armoured unit of the 1st RIMa, two engineering sections of the 6th RG, two mortar sections of the 11th RAMa, and a communication group for the 48th RT. This amounts to 650 personnel.
The headquarter and one of the combat groups are positioned at Nijrab
Nijrab
Nijrab is a village and the center of Nijrab District, Kapisa Province, Afghanistan. It is located at at 1,613 m altitude. There are a medical clinic, schools and radio station in the village....
, while the other combat unit is based in Tagab
Tagab
Tagab District is one of the 29 districts of Badakhshan Province in Afghanistan. It was created in 2005 from part of Fayzabad District and has a population of approximately 22,000 residents. The Karaste Canal is located in Tagab District....
.
On 1 November 2009, command of the GTIA was transferred to the Brigade La Fayette
Brigade La Fayette
The Brigade La Fayette, also named La Fayette Task Force, is a joint unit of the French forces in Afghanistan. It was officially created on 1 November 2009, along with a complete reorganisation of the French military deployment in Afghanistan. It comprises most of the French Army units involved in...
.
History
The foundation of the GTIA-Kapisa was announced by President Sarkozy in 3 April 2008, during the NATO summit in Bucarest.Task Force Chimera, August 2008 to January 2009
From August 2008 - January 2009, the GTIA-Kapisa was dubbed "Task Force Chimera". It comprised elements of- the 8e RPIMa
- the 35e RAP
- the 17e RGP
A company detached from the 8e RPIMa to the BatFra, and sustained casualties during the Uzbin Valley ambush
Uzbin Valley ambush
The Uzbin Valley ambush occurred when ISAF troops were ambushed by Afghan militants in eastern Afghanistan on 18 August 2008. It took place outside the village of Spēṟ Kunday, of the Surobi District of Kabul province and resulted in heavy casualties to the French ISAF contingent.A NATO report of...
on 18 August 2008.
Task Force Chimera sustained 15 wounded during its tour.
Task Force Tiger, January 2009 to 15 June 2009
From January 2009 to 15 June 2009, the GTIA-Kapisa was dubbed "Task Force Tiger", under Colonel Nicolas Le NenNicolas Le Nen
Nicolas Le Nen is a French Army officer. Since 2007, he has commanded the 27ème bataillon de chasseurs alpins, and heads the Groupement tactique interarmes de Kapisa.-Biography:Le Nen joined Saint-Cyr in 1986, and chose Infantry after graduation...
. It comprised elements of
- the 27e BCA
- the 2e REG
- the 4e RH, providing an armoured arm with five AMX-10 RC
- the 93e RAM.
One of the most notable operations was the Battle of Alasay
Battle of Alasay
The Battle of Alasay, codenamed Operation Dinner Out, was a military operation carried out by French troops of the Chasseurs Alpins's 27e Battalion and the Afghan National Army 1st Kandak between the 14th and 23rd of March 2009...
, on 14 March 2009.
Task Force Tiger sustained one dead (Corporal Nicolas Belda, killed during the Battle of Alasay
Battle of Alasay
The Battle of Alasay, codenamed Operation Dinner Out, was a military operation carried out by French troops of the Chasseurs Alpins's 27e Battalion and the Afghan National Army 1st Kandak between the 14th and 23rd of March 2009...
), and one wounded.
Task Force Korrigan, 15 June 2009 to 15 January 2010
From 15 June 2009 to 15 January 2010, the GTIA-Kapisa is dubbed "Task Force Korrigan", under colonel Chanson. It comprises- a section of the 3e RIMa
- a section of the 6e RG
- two mortar sections from the 11e RAMa
- one group of the 48e RT
- one armoured platoon of the 1e RIMa
In June, the French troops received reinforcements with eight CAESAR self-propelled howitzers.
As of the 1 November 2009, Task Force Korrigan had lost 7 killed and 44 wounded.