French combat divers

[easyand]

French navy combat divers

http://le.cos.free.fr/photo/hubert/hubert7.jpg

http://le.cos.free.fr/photo/hubert/hubert5.jpg

http://le.cos.free.fr/photo/hubert/hubert52475.jpg

http://le.cos.free.fr/photo/hubert/hubert9.jpg

http://le.cos.free.fr/photo/hubert/hubert693541.jpg

http://le.cos.free.fr/photo/hubert/hubert10.jpg

http://le.cos.free.fr/photo/hubert/hubert444444532.jpg

http://le.cos.free.fr/photo/hubert/hubert545.jpg

http://le.cos.free.fr/photo/hubert/hubert883654.jpg

http://le.cos.free.fr/photo/hubert/hubert45341.jpg

http://le.cos.free.fr/photo/hubert/hubert2.jpg

http://le.cos.free.fr/photo/hubert/hubert6612.jpg

http://le.cos.free.fr/photo/hubert/hubert65832.jpg

http://le.cos.free.fr/photo/hubert/hubert2432653.jpg

http://le.cos.free.fr/photo/hubert/hubert354352.jpg

[fantassin]

Wow ! what a mix.....

No all of those pics are actually members of the CASM (Commando d'Action Sous Marine) of the French Navy, the other name for Hubert.

The divers with the suppressed Mini Uzis and dive boards are very likely SAF IO (spécialistes d'aide au franchissement, Intervention offensive) who belong to the Engineers of the French Army. They very likely belong to the SNIO (section nautique d'intervention offensive) of the 17th Airborne Engineer regiment (17°RGP) based in Montauban. That unit was extensively used in the sewer system of Beyruth and Mitrovica to clear IED and secret escape routes.

The guys in the desert uniforms armed with Sig 550s are Commando Marine from another unit than Hubert (Jaubert, Penfentenyo...) ; these pics where taken for a press dog and pony show last year in Djibouti.

The whole series of pics can be found on the Marine Nationale website

www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/navires/unites/cofusco/f_galerie.htm

The Commando lurking in the seaweed with a Sig rifle is a member of the recce troop of a Marine Commando, not a member of Hubert.

[dez000]

Nice photos! How come they use SIG rifles instead of the Famas?

[fantassin]

Because of the "marine coat" of the SIGs which make them more resistant to saline environment than any other non "marine coated" rifle.

And also because it's a good rifle and the Marine Nationale has got specific budgetary lines for its beloved Commandos.

[IDFM203]

http://le.cos.free.fr/photo/hubert/hubert45341.jpg


It’s a bit hard to tell from the pic and as such that is why I am not that sure, but it does look like the operator on our right (from us looking at the screen) does seem to have on a old Israeli vest on?


Now I remember you (fantassin) saying how indeed a lot of your special forces do buy the old Israeli vests, so it is plausible that what I am seeing is one of them.

Paix :D

[fantassin]

Yes, they used to but most FR SF now favour lighter types now.

Still, as this year old picture proves, it is still used, esp. by the Commando marine when they need a high magazine payload.

Other pics of FR SF in Congo last year also showed what is called the "Ephod" by most FR soldiers (even if it's not the right name AFAIK) still being used.

[IDFM203]

Yes, they used to but most FR SF now favour lighter types now.

Still, as this year old picture proves, it is still used, esp. by the Commando marine when they need a high magazine payload.

Other pics of FR SF in Congo last year also showed what is called the "Ephod" by most FR soldiers (even if it's not the right name AFAIK) still being used. Thanks for the answers and confirmation that what I saw was indeed correct (that it was Israeli).

I am always amazed to see that older version still being used in other places (and I have seen it not just in France but in some other nations as well) when in Israel, with regards to SF or regular front line troops it hasn’t been used for years now (expect for some reserves using it).


And yes "Ephod" usually refers to the vest that came after it that had a added upper back pouch and also had padding for the shoulders and in general it had more padding all around (and that too is also now considered old and mostly found only in the reserves or in non front line troops).

Anyways nice pics in general :D


Shalom :D