GIGN (Groupe d'intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale pronunciation ; English: National Gendarmerie Intervention Group) is the elite police tactical unit of the French National Gendarmerie. Its missions include counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, surveillance of national threats, protection of government officials, and targeting organized crime.
GIGN was established in 1973 following the Munich massacre, created initially as a relatively small tactical unit specialized in sensitive hostage situations. It has since grown into a larger force with expanded responsibilities and capabilities. GIGN is now composed of nearly a thousand operators, based at the Versailles-Satory headquarters, near Paris (approximately 400 operators), and in fourteen regional GIGN Branches (French: Antennes du GIGN) located in metropolitan France or in its overseas territories (approximately 600 operators). GIGN shares jurisdiction of French territory with the National Police special-response units.
Although most of its operations take place in France, the unit, as a component of the French Armed Forces, can operate anywhere in the world. Many of its missions are secret, and members are not allowed to be publicly photographed. Since its formation, GIGN has been involved in over 1,800 missions and rescued more than 600 hostages, making it one of the most experienced counter-terrorism units in the world.
The unit gained notoriety worldwide with its successful assault on a hijacked Air France flight at Marseille Marignane airport in December 1994.
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