Editing GIGN (section)

==Structure==
[[File:GIGN51 Domenjod 011021.jpg|thumb|A GIGN Security & Protection Force team extracting via helicopter during a demo in 2021]]
GIGN is currently organized in four "''forces''", a "détachement", an Engineering and Support division, a National Training Center for Specialized Intervention<ref group=note>''Intervention Spécialisée'' is the top tier of the Intervention spectrum. The first tier is "operational intervention" (also called ''basic intervention'') and is taught to every gendarme. The next tier, "intermediate intervention" is for special "Surveillance and intervention" or "Intervention" platoons called "PSIG Sabre" in the [[Departmental Gendarmerie]]), PIGM in the [[Mobile Gendarmerie]] and PIGR in the [[Republican Guard (France)|Republican Guard]].</ref> and a Human Resources bureau, under two headquarters (administrative and operational):<ref name="GIGN 3.0 l'Essor" /><ref name="arrêté 26/07/2021"/>
* '''Intervention Force''' ({{langx|fr|Force Intervention (FI)}} – the original GIGN): Approximately 100 operators, serving as GIGN's main assault unit. It is divided into four ''sections'' (platoons), two of which are on alert at all times. These ''sections'' are further divided into individual teams of operators. Two of the intervention ''sections'' specialize in high altitude jumps; the other two specialize in diving.
* '''Observation & Search Force''' ({{langx|fr|Force Observation/Recherche (FOR)}}): Approximately 40 operators, specializing in reconnaissance in relation with [[Central Directorate of the Judicial Police|judiciary police]] work, and counterterrorism. Formed from the EPIGN.
* '''Security & Protection Force''' ({{langx|fr|Force Sécurité/Protection (FSP)}}): Approximately 65 operators, specializing in executive and sensitive site protection. Formed from the EPIGN.
* '''Regional Branches Force''' ({{langx|fr|Force Antennes (FA)}}): Headquarters for the fourteen regional GIGN branches.
* '''Gendarmerie Detachment of the GSPR Presidential Security Group''' ({{langx|fr|Détachement GSPR}}): Tasked with protecting the [[President of France]]. Originally a Gendarmerie unit, GSPR (''Groupe de Sécurité de la Présidence de la République'') is now jointly operated by the Gendarmerie and the National Police.
* '''Engineering and Support Division''' ({{langx|fr|Division technique}}): A support force with cells specializing in long-range sniping, breaching, assault engineering, special devices, and other specializations.
* '''National Training Center for Specialized Intervention''' ({{langx|fr|Centre national de formation à l'intervention spécialisée}}): Tasked with selection, training and retraining (called recycling) not only of GIGN operators, but also of selected Gendarmerie or foreign personnel.

Female gendarmes are admitted in all ''forces'', but none have so far succeeded in joining the Intervention Force.

There are several tactical specialties in the group, including: long-range sniping, breaching, observation and [[reconnaissance]], executive protection, freefall parachuting with [[High-altitude military parachuting|HALO/HAHO]] jumps, diving, etc.

Helicopter support is provided by Gendarmerie helicopters and, for tactical deployment of large groups, by GIH ({{langx|fr|Groupe interarmées d'hélicoptères}}), a joint Army/Air Force [[special operations]] flight equipped with [[Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma|SA330 PUMA]] helicopters, based in nearby [[Vélizy – Villacoublay Air Base|Villacoublay Air Base]]. GIH was established in 2006, and has also been tasked to support the National Police's RAID unit since 2008.

The fourteen regional GIGN branches,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/normandie/caen-14000/le-gign-officialise-son-arrivee-a-caen-7142912 | title=Normandie. Le GIGN officialise son arrivée à Caen | date=4 February 2021 }}</ref> initially known as PI2Gs ({{langx|fr|Pelotons d'intervention interrégionaux de la Gendarmerie}}) for the domestic units and GPIs ({{langx|fr|Groupes de pelotons d'intervention}}) for the overseas units, were respectively redesignated as GIGN branches in April and July 2016<ref>Gendarmerie memorandum 61050 dated 26 July 2016.</ref> and fully integrated into GIGN in 2021. As of 2021, the seven metropolitan GIGN branches are located in [[Caen]], [[Dijon]], [[Nantes]], [[Orange, Vaucluse|Orange]], [[Reims]], [[Toulouse]] and [[Tours]], while the seven overseas branches are based in [[Guadeloupe]], [[Martinique]], [[French Guiana]], [[Réunion]], [[Mayotte]], [[French Polynesia]] and [[New Caledonia]]. The twenty nuclear protection units, called PSPGs ({{langx|fr|Pelotons spécialisés de protection de la Gendarmerie}}), located on site at each one of the French nuclear power plants, are not a part of GIGN, but operate under its operational control.

Coordination between GIGN and [[Recherche Assistance Intervention Dissuasion|RAID]], the National Police's tactical unit, is handled by a joint organization called Ucofi ({{lang|fr|Unité de coordination des forces d’intervention}} or Intervention Forces Coordination Unit). A "leader/follower" protocol has been established for use when both units need to be engaged jointly,<ref group=note>As was the case following the [[Charlie Hebdo shooting|7 January 2015 ''Charlie Hebdo'' assassinations]].</ref> leadership belonging to the unit operating in its primary areas of responsibility.<ref>Colonel Bonneau interview, {{lang|fr|''L’Essor de la Gendarmerie nationale'' n°478|italic=unset}} – February 2015 issue.</ref>