B2 The Daily of Geopolitical Europe. News. Files. Reflections. Reports

Central Southern Africa Brief blog Missions Operations

Central African Republic: death of a French non-commissioned officer assigned to DETAO (v2)

April 6thSeptember 11, 2023 Romain Mielcarek

(B2) A non-commissioned officer assigned to the operational support detachment (DETAO) in the Central African Republic, a unit which completes the missions of EUTM-RCA and which takes care of the support of the French soldiers in this theater died a-t- we learned today from the General Staff on Monday (April 6)

Chief Warrant Officer Jean-Bernard Russon was found dead on Sunday (April 5) in his room in the M'Poko camp, located near Bangui airport (CAR). The causes of the death of this non-commissioned officer of the ammunition group of Brienne-le-Château are not known and a provost investigation has been opened by the French gendarmerie. Nb: according to our information, collected from a good source, after a sample was taken by the doctor, the soldier was not infected with the coronavirus.

Assigned to the operational support detachment (DETAO) since last November, Chief Warrant Officer Russon was head of the ammunition depot. This French unit of around 150 soldiers, created at the end of 2018, leads technical training detachments for the benefit of the Central African armed forces in specific areas (provost, fire safety, ammunition management, first aid).

The DETAO is also responsible for supporting French soldiers assigned to international missions in the Central African Republic, whether it is the European Union training mission (EUTM-RCA) or the United Nations mission (Minusca). . It is under operational control of the French elements in Gabon (EFG).

Chief Warrant Officer Russon joined in 2007 as a non-commissioned officer, in equipment, then in the joint ammunition service. It is used during numerous operations and deployments abroad: in Chad (2009, 2016), in Afghanistan (2010), in Burkina Faso for the special forces of the Task Force Saber (2011), in Lebanon (2012), in Djibouti (2017), in Niger on Barkhane (2017), in Iraq with the special forces (2018) and finally in the Central African Republic, where he arrived in November 2019.

(Romain Mielcarek, with the editorial staff of B2)

NB: details on the assignment by the Covid-19

Romain Mielcarek

Romain Mielcarek is a defense and international journalist. Correspondent of B2 in Paris, he also collaborates with DSI, RFI and Le Monde Diplomatique. Holder of a doctoral thesis in information and communication sciences, he also conducts academic research on military influence. His latest book: "Arms dealers, a French business" (Tallandier, 2017).

[Interview] ASPIDES. A purely defensive operation that solves nothing. Forgotten geopolitical issues (Pascal Ausseur, FMES) April 8th
(B2) For Admiral Pascal Ausseur who heads the Mediterranean Foundation for Strategic Studies, the maritime operation launched by the Europeans in the Red Sea and in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait is not entirely justified , nor at
Nicolas Gros Verheyde
[News] In the Red Sea, 68 ships escorted by Aspides. First assessment after seven weeks April 8th
(B2) Eleven attacks have been repelled in the Red Sea since February 23, according to Josep Borrell. Visibly satisfied with the performance of the latest EU maritime operations. The High Representative of the EU
Olivier Jehin
[News] Eurocorps head dismissed. For violation of defense secrecy March 27, 2024
(B2) Polish General Gromadziński is no longer the head of the European Corps. He has just been dismissed from his position and his security clearance has been revoked by the Polish government. With immediate effect. Reason
Nicolas Gros Verheyde
[Portrait] Three new heads of CSDP missions in Georgia, Palestine and Somalia March 26, 2024
(B2) The COPS ambassadors approved this Tuesday, March 26, the appointment of three heads of mission. A French woman in Georgia In Georgia, the appointment of General Bettina Boughani is confirmed, as of
Nicolas Gros Verheyde
[Report] Steadfast Defender 24: the clear message of the return of major NATO maneuvers March 10, 2024
(B2 in Poland) The Allies are engaged in exercises on a scale not seen since the end of the Cold War. 90 soldiers and an entire arsenal engaged in maneuvers crossing numerous countries,
Romain Mielcarek
[Exclusive] Create a special fund dedicated to European defense? An idea to explore 23th February 2024
(B2) Between a European Peace Facility stuck by German difficulties and a tight budget at community level, a third way could emerge to support the rise of the manufacturing industry.
Nicolas Gros Verheyde
[Decryption] Operation EUNAVFOR Aspides officially established (v3) 8th February 2024
(B2 - exclusive) Objective, modes of action, area of operation, commands, budget, coordination, intelligence... the main elements of the new European operation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden are now known . Text explanations. Validated
Nicolas Gros Verheyde
[Verbatim] Military support for Ukraine. Between Paris and Berlin, like zests of nuance. kyiv as referee? 2th February 2024
(B2) At the end of the European Council, we were able to witness a detailed exchange, via press conferences, between the German Chancellor and the French President. Subliminal messages were passed
Nicolas Gros Verheyde
[Analysis] The semi-failure of the European plan to deliver heavy munitions to Ukraine 31th January 2024
(B2) The goal of delivering one million heavy munitions to Ukraine will not be achieved. It must be recognized. The Europeans have not been able to keep the commitment they made to kyiv. A setback
Nicolas Gros Verheyde