Bravery Abroad: French Soldiers In Afghanistan

French soldiers served in Afghanistan from the very beginning of combat operations in 2001, following the launch of the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In November 2001, French President Jacques Chirac assured the White House of the support of the French armed forces, which were immediately engaged in the conflict.

French forces operated within two distinct frameworks: the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), carried out by NATO on a United Nations mandate, and Operation Enduring Freedom, under US command, as part of the War on Terror.

In November 2009, the French contingent in Afghanistan numbered around 3,750 men and women, including both ground troops and air support. The French military presence in Afghanistan peaked in 2009-2011 in terms of troop numbers and state-of-the-art equipment deployed.

Throughout their involvement in the War in Afghanistan, French forces contributed to several national operations, including Opération Pamir with ISAF, Opération Héraklès for naval and air components, Opération Épidote for training the Afghan Army, and Opération Arès for special operations within Operation Enduring Freedom.

French forces were involved in the War in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014

In the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, France pledged its support to the United States. On November 20, 2001, Prime Minister Lionel Jospin declared:

> "If France participates in this conflict, it is not against Afghanistan, but instead because the United States have suffered attacks of a rare violence and, as an ally, France has to side with the Americans."

However, France's strategic priorities lay elsewhere, with missions in Kosovo, Lebanon, and various African countries taking precedence. As a result, France's military commitment to Afghanistan was initially limited.

Following the election of Nicolas Sarkozy as president in 2007, France decided to increase its contribution to the war effort. This decision was driven by a desire to improve relations with the United States. France agreed to take responsibility for the Kapisa and Surobi regions, two small but strategically important areas near Kabul.

In August 2008, French forces suffered their worst single-day loss since the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, when nine soldiers were killed and 21 wounded in the Uzbin Valley Ambush. This incident shocked public opinion and led to the deployment of additional resources, including drones and tele-operated turrets.

In 2009, France had approximately 4,000 personnel deployed in Afghanistan, including air support and gendarmes. Operations that year cost 450 million euros, amounting to over half of France's total military spending abroad.

In 2012, newly elected President François Hollande announced the withdrawal of French combat troops from Afghanistan by the end of the year, citing the completion of the transfer of the Kapisa and Surobi regions to Afghan forces. This decision was criticized by NATO partners but was supported by French public opinion, which had largely opposed the country's involvement in the war.

By 2014, France had fully withdrawn its forces from Afghanistan, marking the end of its battlefield role in the conflict.

French forces contributed to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Operation Enduring Freedom

French forces were involved in the War in Afghanistan from late 2001 until fully withdrawing by 2014. They operated within two distinct frameworks: the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), carried out by NATO on a United Nations mandate, and Operation Enduring Freedom, under US command, as part of the War on Terror.

French forces contributed to both chapters in several national operations:

• Opération Pamir with the ISAF
• Opération Héraklès for the naval and air components
• Opération Épidote for training elements of the Afghan Army
• Opération Arès for special operations within "Operation Enduring Freedom"

In November 2009, 4,000 French personnel were deployed in Afghanistan, including air support of Combined Task Force 150 in the Indian Ocean.

ISAF's primary goal was to train the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and assist Afghanistan in rebuilding key government institutions. It was gradually expanded to cover the whole country by the second half of 2006. As ISAF expanded into the east and south, its troops became increasingly engaged in fighting a growing insurgency in 2007 and 2008, while trying to help Afghanistan rebuild.

In support of the Afghan government, ISAF assisted the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) in the conduct of security operations throughout the country, helping to reduce the capability of the insurgency.

An important priority for ISAF was to increase the capacity and capabilities of the Afghan forces. This became the main focus of the mission from 2011 onwards, as responsibility for security was progressively transitioned to Afghan lead and ISAF shifted from a combat-centric role to training, advising and assisting.

The multinational force also helped to create the space and lay the foundations for improvements in governance and socio-economic development for sustainable stability.

ISAF provided support to the Afghan government and international community in security sector reform, including mentoring, training and operational support to the Afghan National Army (ANA) and the Afghan National Police (ANP). The aim was to build professional, independent and sustainable forces that were able to provide security to the Afghan people throughout the country.

French soldiers' views of US soldiers in Afghanistan

French soldiers who served with US soldiers and marines in Afghanistan have expressed their views on the US military's performance during their shared deployment. These views were published in a French newspaper and later translated into English by Wes O'Donnell, a veteran and blogger.

The French soldiers were stationed with two US units from a prestigious infantry battalion. They observed that the US soldiers had a strong American accent, which sometimes made communication difficult, even among Americans from different states. The French soldiers also noted the physical differences, commenting that the US soldiers were taller and more muscular due to their diet and physical training. Despite their size, the US soldiers were able to move quickly and easily while wearing combat gear, and they handled long hours of watch without complaint.

The French soldiers were impressed by the US troops' combat readiness and their aggressive approach to engaging with the enemy. They described the US soldiers as always coming to the rescue and charging into battle without hesitation. The French soldiers also admired the strong sense of teamwork and camaraderie among the Americans, who were willing to risk their lives to support their allies without knowing the full details of the mission.

The French soldiers' views provide insight into the differences in military culture and tactics between the two countries. While the French tend to focus on defence and awaiting orders, the US soldiers were trained to take the offensive and attack in the absence of orders. This difference surprised not only the French but also other close US allies, such as the British and Australians.

Overall, the French soldiers expressed respect and admiration for the US military's performance in Afghanistan, praising their physical fitness, combat skills, and dedication to their team and mission. They acknowledged the honour of serving alongside them and hoped to remain worthy of their American brothers-in-arms.

France's military presence in Afghanistan

The French forces contributed to several national operations:

• Opération Pamir with the ISAF
• Opération Héraklès for naval and air components
• Opération Épidote for training the Afghan Army
• Opération Arès for special operations within "Operation Enduring Freedom"

In November 2009, there were 4,000 French personnel deployed in Afghanistan, including 150 gendarmes. The French military presence included air support, the Joint Tactical Group of Kapisa, drones in Baghram, the Headquarter Battalion (BCS) in Kabul, the Helicopter Battalion (Bathelico), an aerial combat unit in Kandahar, and the Charles-de-Gaulle aircraft carrier.

The French forces supported anti-drug operations and surrendered prisoners captured during combat to Afghan authorities. They also worked to establish secure zones to allow the Afghan state to rebuild, enable development operations, and strengthen the Afghan Army.

The French campaign plans evolved under President Nicolas Sarkozy, who increased the French contribution to improve relations with the US. France took responsibility for the strategically important Kapisa and Surobi regions. The French deployed a brigade under the command of Regional Command-East.

The French forces adapted to the Afghan battlefield, dealing with dangers such as improvised explosive devices, and experimented with new organizational structures. The French military presence in Afghanistan ended in 2014, with the withdrawal of combat troops.

The French campaign in Afghanistan

French forces contributed to both chapters through several national operations, including Opération Pamir with the ISAF, Opération Héraklès for naval and air components, Opération Épidote for training the Afghan Army, and Opération Arès for special operations within "Operation Enduring Freedom".

In 2009, there were around 4,000 French personnel deployed in Afghanistan, including air support in the Indian Ocean. The French Army also deployed two joint battalions, each comprising three combat companies, and six "Operational Mentoring Liaison Teams".

The French campaign plans evolved significantly with the election of Nicolas Sarkozy to the presidency. Sarkozy decided to increase France's contribution, aiming to improve the country's relationship with the United States. As a result, France took responsibility for the Kapisa and Surobi regions, two small mountainous areas of critical strategic importance due to their proximity to Kabul and the Salang highway.

The French deployed a brigade in the region under the command of Regional Command-East. However, because France initially refused to participate in the Provincial Reconstruction Team system, the division of labour between Europeans and Americans was reversed in Kapisa. While most European countries led their own provincial reconstruction teams with American troops providing the main battlefield force, the opposite occurred in Kapisa. An American provincial reconstruction team led civilian actions, while French military forces conducted combat operations.

In 2012, the newly elected president François Hollande announced the withdrawal of 2,000 French troops from Afghanistan, with 1,400 remaining for training and logistics. In November of that year, France's combat troops were fully withdrawn, leaving only the logistical contingent. By 2014, France had completely withdrawn its forces from Afghanistan.

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