Support for Central African Republic

Violence in the Central African Republic was triggered by Djotodia´s coup d’état in March 2013. The population was forced to flee the “Seleka” and “Anti-Balaka” massacres and ethnic cleansings, accounting for more than 650,000 displaced persons. In addition, almost 300,000 people fled to foreign countries.

With authorisation from the United Nations, France deployed 2000 troops in Operation Sangaris to strengthen the 6000 already sent by the African Union (International Support Mission to the Central African Republic or MISCA). 

2020

·        March 24. Mamba detachment ends its activity from this location. The mission is now carried out from Marfil Detachment in Senegal.

2019

 ·         December 13. Mamba detachment reached 6,000 flight hours supporting French operations Sangaris and Barkhane. A total of 23 rotations of the Detachment have been based in the African country.

 ·         October 16. The 23rd contingent, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel José María Ortega, took over Mamba Detachment.

 ·         July 17. The 22nd contingent, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Carlos Herráiz Linare,s took over Mamba Detachment. During this rotation, the T.21 deployed in Libreville completed 5000 flight hours.

·          April 17. 21^st contingent, under command of the Lieutenant Colonel Javier Martínez Rodríguez, has taken over the Mamba Detachment.

·         January 18. Twentieth Handover/takeover (HOTO) at Mamba Detachment takes place. Previous Lieutenant Colonel Ignacio Moll Santa Isabel is replaced after three months deployed at Libreville (Gabon), by the current head, Lieutenant Colonel José Javier Calderón Jareño.

2018

·         July 20. Handover/takeover (HOTO) at Mamba Detachment. 18^th contingent is in charge of the mission. To date, a total of 3,780 flight hours have been performed. During the 1,459 missions, 10,994 passengers and over 2,040 tons of cargo have been transported.

·         April 18. Handover/takeover (HOTO) at Mamba Detachment. 16^th contingent is replaced by 17^th contingent in Libreville.

·         March 20. C-295 (T.21) of the WING 35 from the Spanish Air Force has performed 4,000 flight hours.

·         January 19. 16^th contingent takes command of the mission.

2017

·         December.  Participation in the mission is extended till December 2018. The current level of 50 troops is maintained.

·         March 24. Mamba Detachment has been in the mission for three years now. It has transported 1,831 tons, 9,559 passengers and it has carried out 1,252 departures and 3,201 flight hours.

2016

·         October: The operation SANGARIS is concluded.

2015

·         August. Mamba Detachment reaches 1,000 flight hours in logistical support missions.

2014

·         October 7. The military transport aircraft C-130 Hercules (T.10), employed by the detachment, is replaced by a transport aircraft C-295 (T.21).

·         March 17. Mamba detachment begins its deployment at the base of Libreville (Gabon) in support to French forces on the mission in RCA (Republic of Central Africa). It is completed on March 22.