Editing GIGN (section)

==History==
[[File:Positionnement des unités d'intervention.svg|thumb|Location of [[Research and Intervention Brigade|BRI-BAC]], GIGN and [[RAID (French police unit)|RAID]] (2021).]]

GIGN was formed in {{lang|fr|[[Maisons-Alfort]]|italic=no}}, near Paris, in 1973, shortly after the [[Munich massacre]] at the [[1972 Summer Olympics]] and other less-known incidents in France exposed a need for dedicated counterterrorist units. Initially named ECRI ({{lang|fr|Équipe commando régionale d’intervention}} or Regional Commando Intervention Team), it became operational in March 1974, under the command of then-lieutenant {{lang|fr|[[Christian Prouteau]]|italic=no}}, and executed its first mission ten days later. Another unit, named GIGN, was created simultaneously within the [[Mobile Gendarmerie]] parachute squadron in {{lang|fr|[[Mont-de-Marsan]]|italic=no}} in southwest France, but the two units were merged under {{lang|fr|Prouteau|italic=no}}'s command in 1976, and adopted the GIGN designation.<ref>From 1974 to 1976, the {{lang|fr|Maisons-Alfort|italic=no}} unit was named GIGN 1, and the {{lang|fr|Mont-de-Marsan|italic=no}} unit GIGN 4, the numbering (1 or 4) being that of the military region. {{lang|fr|''Histoire de la gendarmerie mobile d'Ile-de-France'', 3 volumes, Éditions SPE-Barthelemy, Paris, 2007, {{ISBN|2-912838-31-2}} — tome III p 160|italic=unset}}</ref> GIGNs initial complement was 15, later increased to 32 in 1976, 78 by 1986, and 120 by 2005.<ref>{{lang|fr|''Encyclopédie de la Gendarmerie Nationale'', tome III p 160-166|italic=unset}}</ref> GIGN moved to {{lang|fr|Versailles-Satory|italic=unset}} in 1982.

In 1984, it became a part of a larger organisation called GSIGN ({{lang|fr|Groupement de sécurité et d'intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale}}),<ref group=note>In the French Gendarmerie, a ''groupement'' (grouping) is typically a battalion- or regiment-size unit but while infantry regiments in the French Army share a common format (ie same number of companies) this is not mandatory for a Gendarmerie groupement</ref> together with [[Parachute Intervention Squadron of the National Gendarmerie|EPIGN]] ({{lang|fr|Escadron parachutiste d'intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale}}),<ref group=note>A French escadron is equivalent to a British squadron and to either a troop or a company in the US armed forces.</ref> [[Groupe de sécurité de la présidence de la République|GSPR]] ({{lang|fr|Groupe de sécurité de la présidence de la République}}), the Presidential Security group and GISA ({{lang|fr|Groupe d'instruction et de sécurité des activités}}), a specialized training center.

On 1 September 2007, a major reorganization took place. GSIGN was disbanded and replaced by a new unit also named GIGN. The former GSIGN components (the original GIGN, EPIGN, GSPR and GISA) became "forces" of the new GIGN which now reached a total complement of 380 operators.<ref group=note>The reorganization was conducted by general {{lang|fr|Denis Favier|italic=no}}, who had personally led the [[Air France Flight 8969|Marignane assault]] in 1994 as GIGN's commander and assumed command of the "new" GIGN in 2007. He later became Director-general of the {{lang|fr|Gendarmerie Nationale|italic=no}} (DGGN) from 2013 to 2016.</ref>

The change from GSIGN to the new GIGN, an organization reporting directly to the Director-general of the Gendarmerie, was not a simple name swap. It was done in order to reinforce command and control functions; provide better integration through common selection, common training and stronger support; and improve the unit's capability to handle complex situations such as mass hostage-takings similar to the [[Beslan school siege]].<ref name="Gendinfo" /><ref>Société nationale de L'Histoire et du Patrimoine de la Gendarmerie / Société des amis du musée de la gendarmerie https://www.force-publique.net/2007/09/01/1er-septembre-2007-creation-du-gign-2-0/</ref>

In 2009, the Gendarmerie, while remaining part of the [[French Armed Forces]], was attached to the [[Minister of the Interior (France)|Ministry of the Interior]], which already supervised the [[National Police (France)|National Police]]. The respective areas of responsibility of each force did not change however, as the Police already had primary responsibility for major cities and large urban areas, while the Gendarmerie was in charge of smaller towns and rural areas (in addition to its specific military missions). Under the new command structure, GIGN gendarmes can still be engaged in operations outside of France due to their military status.

In January 2015, GIGN was engaged for the very first time simultaneously with [[RAID (French police unit)|RAID]], the National Police tactical unit, during the [[January 2015 Île-de-France attacks]].<ref group=note>The two actions were distinct but coordinated</ref>

On 1 August 2021, the 14 regional GIGN branches were fully integrated in the group's organization as part of a new ''Force Antennes''. Prior to this reorganization, these regional branches, established in 2004, had been administratively attached to the seven domestic "Zonal Gendarmerie Regions" for seven of them and to the Overseas Gendarmerie Command ({{langx|fr|Commandement de la Gendarmerie outre-mer}}) for the remaining seven but they were independent units that only came under GIGN operational control when a crisis occurred. Sometimes referred to as "GIGN 3.0",<ref group=note>The new GIGN which replaced GSIGN in 2007 was often dubbed GIGN 2.0</ref> the new organization also emphasizes the group's role in training and in operational support.<ref name="arrêté 26/07/2021"> Ministerial decree of 26 July 2021. Arrêté du 26 juillet 2021 relatif aux attributions et à l'organisation du groupe d'intervention de la gendarmerie nationale NOR : INTJ2120405A https://media.interieur.gouv.fr/bomi/BOMI2021-8-2/textes/I40_20210726_INTJ2120405A.pdf</ref>

A new common insignia was adopted as a result of the 2021 reorganization. Shaped as a shield, it worn on the left sleeve by every GIGN gendarme. A circular badge is worn on the right sleeve: the traditional round GIGN patch for Satory-based operators and a different patch for members of the AGIGNs. The AGIGN patch replaces the parachute with a thunderbolt, as AGIGNs are not parachute units.<ref name="GIGN 3.0">GIGN 3.0 ''Gend'Info'' (Official Gendarmerie information magazine in French), Issue 417 1st Semester 2022</ref>

<gallery mode="packed" caption="GIGN insignias">
File:Écusson région gendarmerie GIGN.svg|Main GIGN insignia
File:Logo Groupe d'intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale (GIGN).svg|GIGN patch for HQ and Satory-based forces
File:Emblème des Antennes du Groupe d'intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale (AGIGN).svg|AGIGN patch
</gallery>

Since its creation, the group has taken part in over 1,800 operations, rescued over 600 hostages and arrested over 1,500 suspects,<ref name="Gendinfo"/> losing four members killed in action and ten in training.<ref group=note>Two of the four fatalities involved AGIGN members, the first one occurred in May 2016 at a time when AGIGN's were not yet fully integrated into GIGN which explains why some publications mention "only" three operators killed in action.</ref> Three of the four fatalities in action were sustained when dealing with armed deranged persons. The fourth one occurred during an operation against illegal gold-mining in French Guiana in March 2023.<ref>Elite French gendarme shot dead in Guiana operation https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20230325-elite-french-gendarme-shot-dead-in-guiana-operation</ref>