SCH Sylvain Reine waiting to jump as part of Ex Croix Du Sud Photo by Pte Simone Heyer, 1JPAU(P)

Paratroopers of 3 Regt Parachute Infantry and Marine descend at Mare Island, New Calendonia. Photo by Cpl Philippe Lhermine

It’s a long way from Provence

By Pte Simone Heyer
A LONG way from home, but it is business as usual for 1 Coy 3 Regt Parachute Infantry and Marines – hailing from Carcassonne in France, but on rotation to Plume, New Caledonia.

With a motto of Discret Et Efficace – Discrete and Effective, the company is well-used to travelling and training in different environments.

Adj Capt Pierre Demont said the company was in New Caledonia for four months and it had already been on rotation in Gabon, Africa this year.

The paratroopers deployed everywhere from Rwanda in 1994 and back and forth to Chad, Bosnia and Kosovo each year since then.

Capt Demont said each mission had certain operational requirements.

“We are able to find similarities, like extractions, convoys, check points – though each crisis is different,” he said.

“Sometimes we just intervene without weapons, other times it’s harder and we need to use force, for example, in Central Africa.”

This was their third rotation to New Caledonia, the other two were in 1972 and 1988.

The company’s history dates back to 1 Commando Group of 3 Bn, Colonial Parachute Regiment, raised in 1948.

1 Coy is part of the Regiment Infantry Marine and Parachute – New Caledonia, the French Army presence on the island.

Capt Demont said the role of the company there was to reinforce – in order to have a capacity of a rapid response force available at short notice.

“We’re also able to administer humanitarian aid, extract nationals and aid with disaster relief.

“We will reinforce local forces with whom we have an agreement. Our presence is to affirm French sovereignty.”

Included in the 140-person strength, is one woman, who, Capt Demont says, has earned her place among the other paratroopers.

“She is well-accepted and does her work with a professional spirit.”

Rotations to New Caledonia ensure the whole company has the opportunity to train in their various strengths because of easier access to resources.

“During the rotation, the company did many jumps, performed amphibious raids and had the opportunity to train at the combat training centre.

“Because nobody has family here, we are able to operate at a high level of training.”

Members of the French Defence forces are recruited from French colonies around the world.

Capt Demont said that this ethnic mix ensured a unique spread of skills gained from their home country.

“These soldiers have many experiences – for example, operations in tropical environments, or deserts.

“During in-country commando courses, these soldiers teach us how to find and prepare food within their local environment.”

1 Coy 3RPIMa recently hosted A Coy, 6RAR during Exercise Croix Du Sud – a joint training exercise between the New Zealand and Tongan armies and each of the French and Australian services.

Capt Demont said he found working with the other forces to be interesting and gave the French the chance show their capabilities.

“We performed an airborne assault on Koumac.”

“Half the company jumped, the rest were transported by Casa aircraft.

“Our mission was to secure an important area where we had to co-operate with New Zealanders and other French troops.”

He said it was his first time working with Australians.

“We have a good relationship, it’s respectful but easy going.

“Our men have trained on the same terrain, exchanged weapons, equipment and beers.

“This is at the basic level of diplomacy a simple, but important aspect.

“The Australians are similar to the British Army in their rank structure and method of operations.

“They have the same professionalism but are much less formal.

“They’ve shown they’re flexible and demonstrate initiative.”

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