On September 1, the French Air and Space Force began transforming its organization with the establishment of the Special Air Forces Brigade (Brigade des Forces Spéciales Air, BFSA). This reorganization is part of the ramp-up of the Special Forces Air (FSA) and the Air Protection Force (FPA) as directed by the AIRFUSCO25 plan.
Comprising 4,200 personnel, the BFSA brings together under its command the two flight units – the 3/61 “Poitou” Transport Squadron (ET) and the 1/67 “Pyrenees” Helicopter Squadron, together with the Commando units which were previously part of the Air Security and Intervention Forces Brigade (BAFSI), including two special forces units: Commandos Parachutistes de l’Air (CPA) 10 and 30.
The role of this new brigade is to optimize the combat readiness of the Special Forces Air and of the air force units contributing to special operations, as well as air protection units, with the aim of increasing their effectiveness in both special and conventional operations.
Special operations, in-depth penetration, combat Search And Rescue, air support, but also anti-drone warfare and protection of air bases: the brigade will make its resources and know-how available to the various operational commands, including Special Operations Command (COS).