Operation Barracuda


Operation Barracuda was a military operation that was launched by France to support newly installed President David Dacko of the Central African Republic, after Operation Caban of 21 September 1979, a bloodless military operation in which Emperor Bokassa I of the Central African Empire was overthrown.

History

Barracuda was led by Colonel Bernard Degenne, based in N'Djamena, who gave the code name Barracuda to four Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma helicopters and four Transall C-160 transport aircraft, which carried elements of the 8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment to the Central African capital of Bangui. At noon, a company of the 3rd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment from Libreville, was also transported to Bangui.
Until November 1979, Barracuda aimed to protect French citizens in the country and the Dacko government, in addition to supporting the Central African Armed Forces in order maintenance missions. Afterwards, it aimed to rebuild and instruct FACA to ensure the stability of the country. Barracuda ended in June 1981 and was replaced by the "French Elements of Operational Assistance," which remained present in the Central African Republic until 1998.

Footnotes