8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment
The 8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (French: 8e Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine, 8e RPIMa) is an airborne regiment of the Troupes de Marine. The 8e RPIMa was created on 28 February 1951 and the men wear the red beret. It is part of the 11th Parachute Brigade.
| 8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment | |
|---|---|
| 8e Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine | |
| Active | 28 February 1951 – present (same unit, different designations) 8e G.C.P 1952 8e B.P.Choc 1953 8e R.P.C 1956–1958 8e R.P.I.Ma 1958 – present |
| Country | France |
| Branch |
|
| Type | Airborne regiment |
| Role | Air assault Close-quarters combat Direct action Parachuting Reconnaissance Urban warfare Long-range penetration |
| Size | 1200 men and women |
| Part of | 11th Parachute Brigade 3rd Division |
| Garrison/HQ | Castres, France |
| Motto(s) | Volontaire (Volunteer) |
| Colors | Blue and red |
| Anniversaries | Saint-Michel Day |
| Engagements | First Indochina War Battle of Hòa Bình Battle of Dien Bien Phu Algerian War Lebanese Civil War 1975–1990
Gulf War
|
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Philippe du Chaxel |
| Notable commanders | Guy Le Borgne Pierre Tourret François Cann |
| Insignia | |
| Insignia of the 8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment | |
| Abbreviation | 8e RPIMa |
The regiment is garrisoned at Castres, France. Current missions of the 8e RPIMa revolve around peacekeeping and assistance to world populations, and in that regard at the service and disposition of NATO or the United Nations directives. The regiment intervenes around the world protecting French interests in and not limited to: Tchad, Lebanon, New Caledonia, Kuwait, Rwanda, Gabon, Kurdistan, Zaïre, Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville, RDC, ex-Yugoslavia, Cambodia, Macedonia, Kosovo, Ivory Coast, and Afghanistan. Overseas, the regiment is engaged in operations defending French interests, or countries that are in liaison with France in security missions. In Europe, the regiment is engaged in defending the national French territory at the corps of the terrestrial action force. This regiment can be rapidly deployed anywhere in the world. The regiment parts various Commando Parachute Groups, a group of French elite units. Parachute training is conducted at the École des troupes aéroportées (ETAP) in Pau.