Parachute Intervention Squadron of the National Gendarmerie

The Parachute Intervention Squadron of the National Gendarmerie (Escadron Parachutiste d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale) (EPIGN) was the parachute-trained intervention squadron of the French Gendarmerie. The unit was formed in 1984 and absorbed into the newly reorganized GIGN in September 2007.

Known operations
Its missions were generally large-scale operations against terrorism and organized crime. It was also been used for maintaining public order, for searches for persons in difficult environments, and for reinforcing the security of French diplomatic missions abroad. One of the unit's platoons specialised in VIP protection.

It was based in Satory, west of Paris. Along with the GIGN it formed the GSIGN (Groupe de Sécurité et d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale, Group of Security and Intervention of the National Gendarmerie).

Past missions included:
 * Assault on the Ouvéa cave.
 * Attempted arrest, and shooting, of terrorist Khaled Kelkal.

Skills
The competencies of its personnel are:
 * Alpinism (taught by the high-mountain gendarmerie group of Chamonix)
 * Parachuting
 * Diving
 * First aid
 * Marksmanship
 * Explosive neutralisation
 * Close security
 * Close combat

Related links

 * Unofficial website
 * Specwarnet.com report