Lebanese Commando Regiment
Encyclopedia
The Lebanese Commando Regiment, also called Maghaweer was founded in October 1966, and is considered the first special forces
regiment in the Lebanese Armed Forces
. The regiment is also a member of the Lebanese Special Operations Command
and is the largest of the Lebanese
special units.
. During the Lebanese Civil War
, the regiment was divided among the different divided commands. A result of one of the divisions was the foundation of the counter-sabotage regiment or Al-Moukafaha.
The regiment has long been considered the only special unit and the strongest regiment among the other Lebanese Army regiments. However, with the introduction of the other special regiments, such as the Navy SEALs Regiment
, this regiment is no longer considered as such. Nevertheless, the term "Maghaweer" still means to civilians the strongest unit that is available for the hardest tasks, and still refers to this specific regiment.
. In 1966, the command took the decision and called after Captain Abou-Dargham who was ordered to start establishing a commando unit. The initial size was specified to be 250 soldiers, and thus Captain Abou-Dargham started the recruitment process to achieve that number. In addition to the recruited soldiers, trainer officers were chosen to conduct the training, among them Colonel Commando Makhoul Hakmé and Colonel Commando Nabih Farhat who followed commando courses at the Saika school in Egypt
. The new unit was equipped with Beretta
rifles from the army reserves, and dressed in a unique uniform.
The first commando course lasted for two months, and the result came up shockingly short to the LAF command. Only 65 out of the initial 250 soldiers were able to complete the course. The commander of the LAF General Boustani called after Captain Abou-Dargham inquiring about the result, and complaining about the low numbers. Subsequently, another course was made, resulting in an increase to 150 commandos.
, unconventional warfare
, Urban warfare
, Combat search and rescue
, and counter-terrorism
. In addition to those, the regiment is tasked to sustain the internal security.
The official uniform is a digital pattern similar to the MARPAT
Woodland. The regiment also uses a Tigerstripe
pattern of dark and light green and very light and dark brown, that's in addition to the U.S. style Woodland Camouflage fatigues. Desert boots were newly employed by the regiment. Prior to 2008 the official boot was a brown one. The beret is a bordeaux beret, as all the "Maghaweer" units in the LAF, with the regiment's insignia and a metallic LAF logo.
The regiment's shoulder badge
, has a red background with a Tiger
face and sword held by a hand behind it. The name of the regiment is placed at the top of the insignia in Arabic
.
with M203 grenade launcher
, M16
and assault rifles, M249 SAW
, FN MAG
, Barrett M107 .50 Cal. sniper, M24 sniper, Steyr SSG 69
, SVD rifle, M72 LAW
, At-4
, Mk 19 grenade launcher
, M141 Bunker Defeat Munition
, various mortars.
The list of vehicles include M113
, VAB
, Panhard AML 90
, AIFV-B-C25
, HMMWV, CUCV, M151 MUTT jeep, and M35
trucks. The main camouflage of the vehicles is a 3 tone (green, beige, and black) digital pattern. They also use a Tigerstripe camouflage similar to that of the uniform, woodland and white camouflage.
, and first aid procedures. After that stage, soldiers are prepared to get used to combat within a squad
, then a platoon
, then a company
.
Moreover, this stage involves preparing the orientation plans, according to the plans published by the orientation directorate, in addition to sports competitions based on which companies are evaluated.
, APCs
, and snowmobiles. This stage also includes training on arms-handling, in addition to educational sessions on using computers, secretariat, and signals.
A raiding course is taken annually by all the soldiers at the Special Forces School. In addition, soldiers stay off-base for four days, during which they perform special combat operations that include reconnaissance
patrols, raids, ambushes (during day & night, against vehicles and soldiers), tracing, chasing, storming, and destroying artillery emplacements.
A course on dealing with helicopters is also taken by all soldiers. During this course they get to know the capabilities of the helicopters, and learn how to equip it and prepare it to perform a tactical mission. Soldiers also train on jumping out of helicopters from low altitudes onto land and into sea, and also train on landing from helicopters using ropes. This course is finalized by conducting a tactical maneuver during which soldiers perform an airborne operation using helicopters on a specific area to perform a mission, given that the helicopter will return later to pick them up at a specific time from another predetermined check point. A unit that fails to reach the check point in time to catch up to the helicopter is left where it is and has to return to the main meeting point of all units on foot.
, and must have followed a commando course, explosives course, and a storming course. In addition, candidates are selected according to qualifications related to leadership and the individual's ability to command. These trainers, follow additional special courses to further develop their experience, enhance their self-confidence, and rehabilitate their intellectual and physical capabilities.
During this camp, soldiers follow special commando combat training, in addition to survival
training, where soldiers are left alone is a deserted area without food, water, or any mean to aid them. Soldiers have to cope with nature, sustain themselves in face of harsh conditions, and perform the requested mission. Soldiers at this stage are also deprived from having enough sleep, as they are only allowed to sleep for two to three hours a day.
Every stage of the training is finalized by a tactical maneuver with live ammunition.
An in-base race of 5 km is performed by soldiers each month with full gear on. In addition, a general sports assessment on the regiment level is performed twice a year, and four times on company level.
, as a branch specialized in Mountain warfare
and directly related to the Lebanese Army command. However, it was included in the commando regiment as a member company as of 1999. The company is headquartered at Soukour al-Kimam miliatry base (Mountain Hawks military base). The head count of trained mountains soldiers reached the level of 2 combat companies in preparation to a full fledged Mountains Combat Regiment.
Two French Army teams annually train the members of the company over both stages (winter and summer). In addition, some officers and soldiers, follow related courses in France
.
around it, decorated by a cedar. Each symbol has a specific meaning:
, the head of this company, Colonel Ibrahim Salloum, was injured twice; however, he insisted to remain in the battle and ended up dying from a fatal gunshot.
.
This table does not include all the missions
In addition to those operations, the commando regiment was used to restore and maintain order in some Lebanese cities at different occasions whenever major clashes or civil strife took place.
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
regiment in the Lebanese Armed Forces
Lebanese Armed Forces
The Lebanese Armed Forces or Forces Armées Libanaises in French, also known as the Lebanese Army according to its official Website The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) (Arabic: القوات المسلحة اللبنانية | Al-Quwwāt al-Musallaḥa al-Lubnāniyya) or Forces Armées Libanaises in French, also known as the...
. The regiment is also a member of the Lebanese Special Operations Command
Lebanese Special Operations Command
The Lebanese Special Operations Command is the joint Special Operations command of the Lebanese Army which groups Lebanon's elite units. The command is part of the Lebanese Army Command.-Background:...
and is the largest of the Lebanese
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
special units.
History
The regiment was founded in October 1966 under the instructions of the commander-in-chief, General Emile BoustanyEmile Boustany
Emile Boustany was born in Junieh-Caza of Keserwan. He served as a Commander of General rank in the Lebanese Armed Forces from 1 July 1965 to 6 January 1970....
. During the Lebanese Civil War
Lebanese Civil War
The Lebanese Civil War was a multifaceted civil war in Lebanon. The war lasted from 1975 to 1990 and resulted in an estimated 150,000 to 230,000 civilian fatalities. Another one million people were wounded, and today approximately 350,000 people remain displaced. There was also a mass exodus of...
, the regiment was divided among the different divided commands. A result of one of the divisions was the foundation of the counter-sabotage regiment or Al-Moukafaha.
The regiment has long been considered the only special unit and the strongest regiment among the other Lebanese Army regiments. However, with the introduction of the other special regiments, such as the Navy SEALs Regiment
Lebanese Navy SEALs Regiment
The Navy SEALs Regiment or Navy Commando Regiment is Lebanon's elite Maritime Special Operations unit and is a member of the Lebanese Special Operations Command. It is regarded as being one of the best Naval Special Forces units in the Middle East...
, this regiment is no longer considered as such. Nevertheless, the term "Maghaweer" still means to civilians the strongest unit that is available for the hardest tasks, and still refers to this specific regiment.
Foundation
According to Major General Mahmoud Tay Abou-Dargham, the founder of the regiment, the idea came to discussions in 1960 by the commander-in-chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces General Emile BoustanyEmile Boustany
Emile Boustany was born in Junieh-Caza of Keserwan. He served as a Commander of General rank in the Lebanese Armed Forces from 1 July 1965 to 6 January 1970....
. In 1966, the command took the decision and called after Captain Abou-Dargham who was ordered to start establishing a commando unit. The initial size was specified to be 250 soldiers, and thus Captain Abou-Dargham started the recruitment process to achieve that number. In addition to the recruited soldiers, trainer officers were chosen to conduct the training, among them Colonel Commando Makhoul Hakmé and Colonel Commando Nabih Farhat who followed commando courses at the Saika school in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
. The new unit was equipped with Beretta
Beretta
Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta is an Italian firearms manufacturer. Their firearms are used worldwide for a variety of civilian, law enforcement, and military purposes. It is also known for manufacturing shooting clothes and accessories. Beretta is the oldest active firearms manufacturer in the...
rifles from the army reserves, and dressed in a unique uniform.
The first commando course lasted for two months, and the result came up shockingly short to the LAF command. Only 65 out of the initial 250 soldiers were able to complete the course. The commander of the LAF General Boustani called after Captain Abou-Dargham inquiring about the result, and complaining about the low numbers. Subsequently, another course was made, resulting in an increase to 150 commandos.
Main tasks
To conduct specialized operations such as reconnaissanceReconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
, unconventional warfare
Unconventional warfare
Unconventional warfare is the opposite of conventional warfare. Where conventional warfare is used to reduce an opponent's military capability, unconventional warfare is an attempt to achieve military victory through acquiescence, capitulation, or clandestine support for one side of an existing...
, Urban warfare
Urban warfare
Urban warfare is combat conducted in urban areas such as towns and cities. Urban combat is very different from combat in the open at both the operational and tactical level...
, Combat search and rescue
Combat search and rescue
Combat search and rescue are search and rescue operations that are carried out during war that are within or near combat zones.A CSAR mission may be carried out by a task force of helicopters, ground-attack aircraft, tankers and an airborne command post...
, and counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
. In addition to those, the regiment is tasked to sustain the internal security.
Uniform and insignia
MARPAT
MARPAT is a digital camouflage pattern in use with the United States Marine Corps, introduced with the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform , which replaced the Camouflage Utility Uniform. The pattern is formed by a number of small rectangular pixels of color...
Woodland. The regiment also uses a Tigerstripe
Tigerstripe
Tigerstripe is the name of a group of camouflage patterns developed for close-range use in dense jungle during jungle warfare by the South Vietnamese Armed Forces/US Forces. It derives its name from its resemblance to a tiger's stripes...
pattern of dark and light green and very light and dark brown, that's in addition to the U.S. style Woodland Camouflage fatigues. Desert boots were newly employed by the regiment. Prior to 2008 the official boot was a brown one. The beret is a bordeaux beret, as all the "Maghaweer" units in the LAF, with the regiment's insignia and a metallic LAF logo.
The regiment's shoulder badge
Badge
A badge is a device or fashion accessory, often containing the insignia of an organization, which is presented or displayed to indicate some feat of service, a special accomplishment, a symbol of authority granted by taking an oath , a sign of legitimate employment or student status, or as a simple...
, has a red background with a Tiger
Tiger
The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to and weighing up to . Their most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underparts...
face and sword held by a hand behind it. The name of the regiment is placed at the top of the insignia in Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
.
Weapons, equipment and vehicles
The units weapons consist of mainly U.S. weapons, various weapons are used such as the M4 Carbine assault rifleM4 Carbine
The M4 carbine is a family of firearms tracing its lineage back to earlier carbine versions of the M16, all based on the original AR-15 designed by Eugene Stoner and made by ArmaLite. It is a shorter and lighter variant of the M16A2 assault rifle, with 80% parts commonality.It is a gas-operated,...
with M203 grenade launcher
M203 grenade launcher
The M203 is a single shot 40 mm grenade launcher designed to attach to a rifle. It uses the same rounds as the older M79 break-action grenade launcher, which utilize the High-Low Propulsion System to keep recoil forces low. Though versatile, and compatible with many rifle models, the M203 was...
, M16
M16 rifle
The M16 is the United States military designation for the AR-15 rifle adapted for both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 from ArmaLite, and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 fires the 5.56×45mm NATO...
and assault rifles, M249 SAW
M249 light machine gun
The M249 light machine gun , previously designated the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon , and formally written as Light Machine Gun, 5.56 mm, M249, is an American version of the Belgian FN Minimi, a light machine gun manufactured by the Belgian company FN Herstal . The M249 is manufactured in the...
, FN MAG
FN MAG
The FN MAG is a Belgian 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun, designed in the early 1950s at Fabrique Nationale by Ernest Vervier. It has been used by more than 80 countries, and it has been made under licence in countries such as Argentina, Egypt, India, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the...
, Barrett M107 .50 Cal. sniper, M24 sniper, Steyr SSG 69
Steyr SSG 69
The SSG 69 is a bolt-action sniper rifle produced by Steyr Mannlicher and serves as the standard sniper rifle for the Austrian Army....
, SVD rifle, M72 LAW
M72 LAW
The M72 LAW is a portable one-shot 66 mm unguided anti-tank weapon, designed in the United States by Paul V. Choate, Charles B. Weeks, and Frank A. Spinale et al...
, At-4
AT-4
AT-4 may refer to:* AT4, a Swedish unguided one-shot anti-tank weapon.* AT-4 Spigot, a Soviet guided anti-tank missile.* AT-4 Hawk U.S. Army biplane advanced trainer of 1927...
, Mk 19 grenade launcher
Mk 19 grenade launcher
The Mk 19 Grenade Launcher is a 40 mm belt-fed automatic grenade launcher or grenade machine gun that entered U.S. military service during the Cold War, first seeing action during the Vietnam War and remaining in service today.-Overview:...
, M141 Bunker Defeat Munition
M141 Bunker Defeat Munition
The M141 Bunker Defeat Munition , or SMAW-D , is a single shot, shoulder launched weapon designed to defeat hardened structures...
, various mortars.
The list of vehicles include M113
M113 armored personnel carrier
The M113 is a fully tracked armored personnel carrier that has formed the backbone of the United States Army's mechanized infantry units from the time of its first fielding in Vietnam in April 1962. The M113 was the most widely used armored vehicle of the U.S...
, VAB
Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé
The Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé or VAB is an armoured personnel carrier and support vehicle designed by the Euro Mobilité Division of GIAT Industries of France. It entered service in 1976; around 5,000 were produced.- Design :The VAB was designed as a wheeled troop transporter, complementing the...
, Panhard AML 90
Panhard AML
-Former Operators:: unknown number of AML-60s and AML-90s in service between 1960-1975.: 34 Eland 90s and Eland 60s in service with the Rhodesian Security Forces in 1979, passed on to successor state.-Trivia:...
, AIFV-B-C25
AIFV
The AIFV is a tracked light armored vehicle which serves as an infantry fighting vehicle in the armies of several countries. It is a development of the M113A1 armored personnel carrier.-History:...
, HMMWV, CUCV, M151 MUTT jeep, and M35
M35 2-1/2 ton cargo truck
The M35 family of trucks is a long-lived vehicle initially deployed by the United States Army, and subsequently utilized by many nations around the world. A truck in the 2½ ton weight class, it was one of many vehicles in U.S...
trucks. The main camouflage of the vehicles is a 3 tone (green, beige, and black) digital pattern. They also use a Tigerstripe camouflage similar to that of the uniform, woodland and white camouflage.
Selection and training
A commando soldier candidate is selected based on a sports test, a general information test, and a medical test. After successfully passing these three tests, the candidates undergo an intensive course in the regiment for one month. This course includes various sports: climbing, rope-handling, spear-fighting, close combat, aerial journeys, and walking with full gear. This course intends to prepare the candidates to follow a commando course for two months at the Special Forces School, after which graduates follow the companies of the commando regiment, and follow additional specialization training in explosives, effective use of arms, reading maps, signalsMilitary communications
Historically, the first military communications had the form of sending/receiving simple signals . Respectively, the first distinctive tactics of military communications were called Signals, while units specializing in those tactics received the Signal Corps name...
, and first aid procedures. After that stage, soldiers are prepared to get used to combat within a squad
Squad
In military terminology, a squad is a small military unit led by a non-commissioned officer that is subordinate to an infantry platoon. In countries following the British Army tradition this organization is referred to as a section...
, then a platoon
Platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...
, then a company
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
.
Annual course for new soldiers
The annual training program for the newly-joined soldiers in the regiment is composed of three stages:Preparatory stage
This stage lasts one month, it prepares non-commissioned officers trainers after following studies in training techniques. In addition to preparing the training program, selecting the special studies to be included, and selecting the training sites. Selecting the sites takes into consideration having a variety of locations with different terrains, nature, and weather conditions.Moreover, this stage involves preparing the orientation plans, according to the plans published by the orientation directorate, in addition to sports competitions based on which companies are evaluated.
Technical training
This stage lasts three months, it prepares the soldiers technically, for this reason they follow various courses such as driving various vehicles including jeeps, trucks, trailersTrailer (vehicle)
A trailer is generally an unpowered vehicle pulled by a powered vehicle. Commonly, the term trailer refers to such vehicles used for transport of goods and materials....
, APCs
Armoured personnel carrier
An armoured personnel carrier is an armoured fighting vehicle designed to transport infantry to the battlefield.APCs are usually armed with only a machine gun although variants carry recoilless rifles, anti-tank guided missiles , or mortars...
, and snowmobiles. This stage also includes training on arms-handling, in addition to educational sessions on using computers, secretariat, and signals.
Tactical training
This stage lasts for eight months, it includes all levels of combat courses, starting with special training for individual fighting, followed by training on operations within a squad, up to the level of a platoon, and ultimately to a company level and a tactical branch level. The goal behind this is to create harmony and good coordination among the group regardless of its size.A raiding course is taken annually by all the soldiers at the Special Forces School. In addition, soldiers stay off-base for four days, during which they perform special combat operations that include reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
patrols, raids, ambushes (during day & night, against vehicles and soldiers), tracing, chasing, storming, and destroying artillery emplacements.
A course on dealing with helicopters is also taken by all soldiers. During this course they get to know the capabilities of the helicopters, and learn how to equip it and prepare it to perform a tactical mission. Soldiers also train on jumping out of helicopters from low altitudes onto land and into sea, and also train on landing from helicopters using ropes. This course is finalized by conducting a tactical maneuver during which soldiers perform an airborne operation using helicopters on a specific area to perform a mission, given that the helicopter will return later to pick them up at a specific time from another predetermined check point. A unit that fails to reach the check point in time to catch up to the helicopter is left where it is and has to return to the main meeting point of all units on foot.
Selecting NCO trainers
A non-commissioned officer who is planning to become a commando trainer must be a graduate of the Teaching InstituteLebanese Army Teaching Institute
The Teaching Institute also known as the Training Institute is a Lebanese Armed Forces training center, first established on August 7, 1961 as a teaching school in north Lebanon. However, it has been restructured, reconstructed, and reorganized many times throughout the years of Lebanon's civil war...
, and must have followed a commando course, explosives course, and a storming course. In addition, candidates are selected according to qualifications related to leadership and the individual's ability to command. These trainers, follow additional special courses to further develop their experience, enhance their self-confidence, and rehabilitate their intellectual and physical capabilities.
Annual training camp
The regiment conducts a large scale training camp on a yearly basis, this training lasts three months, and includes similar training to the tactical stage of the new soldiers.During this camp, soldiers follow special commando combat training, in addition to survival
Survival skills
Survival skills are techniques a person may use in a dangerous situation to save themselves or others...
training, where soldiers are left alone is a deserted area without food, water, or any mean to aid them. Soldiers have to cope with nature, sustain themselves in face of harsh conditions, and perform the requested mission. Soldiers at this stage are also deprived from having enough sleep, as they are only allowed to sleep for two to three hours a day.
Every stage of the training is finalized by a tactical maneuver with live ammunition.
Specialized scheduled courses
In addition to the annual training program, the regiment always hosts specialized courses followed by specialized soldiers from the various companies accordingly. Among these specialized courses are:- Sniper course
- Explosives course, for soldiers specialized in engineering
- Climbing course, for mountain combat soldiers
- Signals course
- Medical course, as every squad includes a medic
On-going training
Each commando performs four firing sessions per year performed over the different seasons. Although, sniper specialists perform firing sessions once per month each year; a total of 12 times per year.An in-base race of 5 km is performed by soldiers each month with full gear on. In addition, a general sports assessment on the regiment level is performed twice a year, and four times on company level.
Mountain Combat Company
Established on February 11, 1998, with the assistance of the French armyFrench Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
, as a branch specialized in Mountain warfare
Mountain warfare
Mountain warfare refers to warfare in the mountains or similarly rough terrain. This type of warfare is also called Alpine warfare, named after the Alps mountains...
and directly related to the Lebanese Army command. However, it was included in the commando regiment as a member company as of 1999. The company is headquartered at Soukour al-Kimam miliatry base (Mountain Hawks military base). The head count of trained mountains soldiers reached the level of 2 combat companies in preparation to a full fledged Mountains Combat Regiment.
Present organization
The company includes:- Three combat platoons
- One support platoon
- One supplies and equipment platoon
- Company command
Training and courses
The principles and basics of combat are applied the same; however in a mean that suits the type of land and weather condition where this company is active. The members of the company follow several gradual courses for that purpose, as follows:- Fundamental course in military skiing, lasts for eight weeks, it includes a theoretical and application study for the skiing and military skiing techniques, moving and taking cover methods in the snow, medical evacuation, firing in snowy and high altitude conditions, tactical training on reconnaissance and ambushes, and constructing and reinforcing combat stations in snow areas.
- Fundamental course in military climbing, lasts for five weeks, it includes studies on climbing techniques, climbing safety measures, rope-handling, preparing mountain passes and then crossing them, techniques on crossing hard terrain mountains, and medical evacuation from rock shelves.
- Commander of a mountainous unit course, spans two phases during winter and summer. Each phase lasts for three weeks.
- Tactical course on mountain combat (in winter & summer), this course is considered a total training that includes the special techniques used in mountainous areas learned at the fundamental course stage, and how to apply them in tactical operations in mountains during winter and summer.
Two French Army teams annually train the members of the company over both stages (winter and summer). In addition, some officers and soldiers, follow related courses in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Emblem
The emblem of the company is made out of an angry wolf face with a trumpetTrumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
around it, decorated by a cedar. Each symbol has a specific meaning:
- The wolf: Represents the small independent units that roam the mountains in all weather conditions.
- The spear: Symbol of the special units.
- The Trumpet: Symbolizes calling all units in the mountains to gather.
Operation Nahr el-Bared
During Operation Nahr el-Bared2007 Lebanon conflict
The 2007 Lebanon conflict began when fighting broke out between Fatah al-Islam, an Islamist militant organization, and the Lebanese Armed Forces on May 20, 2007 in Nahr al-Bared, an UNRWA Palestinian refugee camp near Tripoli. It was the most severe internal fighting since Lebanon's 1975–90 civil...
, the head of this company, Colonel Ibrahim Salloum, was injured twice; however, he insisted to remain in the battle and ended up dying from a fatal gunshot.
Operational deployments
This regiment was always among the first to be called upon to hot spots in the country. It has a long history of operations, especially during the Liberation War against SyriaSyria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
.
| Name | Date | Location | KIA | Details/Comment |
| Battle of Souk el-Gharb | August 13, 1989 | Souk El Gharb, Mount Lebanon | Yes | The Lebanese Army, under the command of General Michel Aoun Michel Aoun Michel Naim Aoun is a former Lebanese Army Commander and he is one of the allies of Hezbollah. From 22 September 1988 to 13 October 1990, he has served as Prime Minister of the legal one of two rival governments that contended for power. He declared "The Liberation War" against the Syrian... , battled units of the Syrian Army, Syrian Special Forces, Palestinian factions, and collaborating Lebanese militias (PSP Progressive Socialist Party The Progressive Socialist Party or PSP , also known as Parti Socialiste Progressiste in French, is a political party in Lebanon. Its current leader is Walid Jumblatt... and CP Lebanese Communist Party The Lebanese Communist Party – LCP or Parti communiste libanais in French, is a communist political party in Lebanon... ) after these units and militias launched an attack on the town of Souk el-Ghareb. This battle was considered one of the greatest battles in the history of the Lebanese Army. The 3rd company of the commando regiment was responsible to reclaim the positions that were lost in the initial attack on the east side of the town. In addition to the Lebanese Commando Regiment, the eighth and tenth brigades were involved in this battle. |
| Operation Dinnieh Dinnieh fighting The Dinnieh fighting involved the Islamist group Takfir wa al-Hijra and the Lebanese Army fighting for eight days in the mountainous Dinnieh region, east of the northern Lebanese port of Tripoli.... |
December 30, 1999 – January 6, 2000 | Dinnieh, North Lebanon | Yes | The operation was triggered by the ambush of a commando regiment patrol resulting in the death of several soldiers. The regiment retaliated with a large scale operation in conjunction with the Navy SEAls Regiment Lebanese Navy SEALs Regiment The Navy SEALs Regiment or Navy Commando Regiment is Lebanon's elite Maritime Special Operations unit and is a member of the Lebanese Special Operations Command. It is regarded as being one of the best Naval Special Forces units in the Middle East... and the Airborne Regiment. |
| Operation Nahr el Bared 2007 Lebanon conflict The 2007 Lebanon conflict began when fighting broke out between Fatah al-Islam, an Islamist militant organization, and the Lebanese Armed Forces on May 20, 2007 in Nahr al-Bared, an UNRWA Palestinian refugee camp near Tripoli. It was the most severe internal fighting since Lebanon's 1975–90 civil... |
May 20, 2007 – September 2, 2007 | Nahr el Bared refugee camp, North Lebanon | Yes | The regiment was the first to be called upon for deployment, and spearheaded the fighting on the majority of the fronts. |
This table does not include all the missions
In addition to those operations, the commando regiment was used to restore and maintain order in some Lebanese cities at different occasions whenever major clashes or civil strife took place.