The Brigada de Fusileros Paracaidistas (Infantry Paratrooper Brigade, BFP) is a paratrooper unit belonging to the Mexican Air Force and created in 1969. Their headquarters were established in Mexico City. In 1999 the Centro de Adiestramiento de Paracaidismo (Airborne Training Center) was created. The brigade includes three battalions, one of which can be deployed rapidly to any part of the country. A Special Forces Airmobile Group is also part of the brigade.
Within the Army structure, is the Grupo Aeromóvil de Fuerzas Especiales (Special Forces Airmobile Group, GAFE) is a special forces unit of the Mexican Army's Special Forces Corps, trained by the world's special forces. There are a total of nine battalions, one High Command GAFE unit and one other group is assigned to the Infantry Parachutists Brigade. Within the structure of the unit there are regular, intermediates and veterans. The regulars usually operate more as an elite light infantry. The intermediates are mainly instructors with medium ranks such as lieutenants and captains; they are also known as the COIFEs, and are considered by many the Mexican Green Berets.
The army special forces continue fighting the war against drug cartels in Mexico, and the veterans or Grupo Aeromóvil de Fuerzas Especiales del Alto Mando (High Command GAFEs) carry out the most delicate black ops. The unit's mission is to carry out the most delicate operations ordered directly by the President and the Secretary of National Defense. They are analogous in weapons, training, and specialization to other counter terror units, such as the US Delta Force and Russian Alfa. They are rumored to have a 'White Card', which is a license to kill. The GAFE motto is "Todo por México" (Everything for Mexico). They have successfully captured many big drug leaders such as Benjamin Arellano Felix and Osiel Cardenas Guillen of the Gulf Cartel.
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THE SWING HARNESS: Practicing variations of the parachute landing fall (PLF) into a sand pit from various platform levels |
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THIRTY-FOUR FOOT TOWER: The famous 34 foot tower on which the jump practices his exit from the aircraft and simulates the path of descent. |
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PARACHUTE LANDING FALL: Practicing the various PLF techniques when the parachutist lands on the DZ. |
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PHYSICAL TRAINING: Rigorous exercises designed to develop and strengthen the muscles used in parachuting and the phyical demands of a combat paratrooper. |
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©2000 Herbert Holeman, Ph.D.