Elrick Irastorza
Encyclopedia
General Elrick James Martial Irastorza (b. 29 September 1950 in Maillezais
) is a French general, presently Chief of Staff of the French Army
. He has served a career in marine paratrooper infantry
, notably in oversea operations.
and Aix between 1961 and 1970, Irastorza joined the École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr
in September 1970. He graduated in 1972, obtaining the rank of lieutenant and opting for service in the Troupes de marine
.
of the 3rd Marine Infantry Regiment
. Later, he joined the paratroopers by transferring to the 2nd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment
, with the same rank. In 1979, he took part in Opération Tacaud
, in Chad
.
In 1980, promoted to captain, Irastorza was given command of a company
of the 8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment
.
From 1982, he taught at the instruction centre for military preparation in Montpellier
, until 1985 when he joined the general staff of the 3rd military region in Rennes
as officer for logistics.
in 1986 and attending the École supérieure de guerre the next year.
In 1989, he obtained the degree that validates training in command and general staff duties. He then joined the RIMAP as chief of operations.
Promoted to lieutenant-colonel, Irastorza assumed command of the 8e RPIMa in 1991. The next year, he supervised the 1st French battalion of the UNTAC
.
From 1993 to 1996, Irastorza was desk officer and second in command at the complement officer of the general staff of the Army, in Paris. He then moved on to serve at the office of military personnel of the Army (DPMAT); from 2000, he was under-director of the DPMAT in charge of recruitment.
on 1 October 2000.
In 2002, Irastorza went to supervise the École d'application de l'infanterie. From 2004, he served as aid to the head of the chief of the Force d'action Terrestre.
From 15 June 2005 and June 2006, he commanded the Force Licorne
in the Ivory Coast.
Irastorza has served as Chief of Staff of the French Army
since 2 July 2008. He is due to serve in this capacity until 31 August 2011.
Maillezais
Maillezais is a commune in the Vendée department in the Pays de la Loire region in western France.It was once an island, until Monks of the Maillezais Abbey dug canals. Remains of the sea wall are still present, and canoe tours of the canals are a regular attraction to tourists.-External links:*,...
) is a French general, presently Chief of Staff of the French Army
Chief of Staff of the French Army
The Chief of the Staff of the French Army is the professional head of the French Army. The current Chief of Staff of the French Army has been General Elrick Irastorza since 2 July 2008.-French Army Chiefs of Staff:*Raoul Le Mouton De Boisdeffre...
. He has served a career in marine paratrooper infantry
Troupes de marine
The or Infanterie de marine, formerly Troupes coloniales, are an arm of the French Army with a colonial heritage. The Troupes de marine have a dedicated overseas service role. Despite their title they have been a part of the Army since 1958...
, notably in oversea operations.
Biography
After studying at military preparitory high schools in AutunAutun
Autun is a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department in Burgundy in eastern France. It was founded during the early Roman Empire as Augustodunum. Autun marks the easternmost extent of the Umayyad campaign in Europe.-Early history:...
and Aix between 1961 and 1970, Irastorza joined the École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr
École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr
The École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr is the foremost French military academy. Its official name is . It is often referred to as Saint-Cyr . Its motto is "Ils s'instruisent pour vaincre": literally "They study to vanquish" or "Training for victory"...
in September 1970. He graduated in 1972, obtaining the rank of lieutenant and opting for service in the Troupes de marine
Troupes de marine
The or Infanterie de marine, formerly Troupes coloniales, are an arm of the French Army with a colonial heritage. The Troupes de marine have a dedicated overseas service role. Despite their title they have been a part of the Army since 1958...
.
Junior officer
From 1973, Irastorza commanded a combat sectionPlatoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...
of the 3rd Marine Infantry Regiment
3rd Marine Infantry Regiment
The 3rd Marine Infantry Regiment is one of the oldest marine units in the French Army, as part of the troupes de marine. It formed part of the 2nd Brigade of the Blue Division during the Franco-Prussian War...
. Later, he joined the paratroopers by transferring to the 2nd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment
2nd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment
The 2nd Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment is an Airborne regiment in the French Army. It is heir to the traditions of the Free French and colonial paratroopers. As of 2008 it is stationed at Saint-Pierre, Réunion.-History:...
, with the same rank. In 1979, he took part in Opération Tacaud
Opération Tacaud
Opération Tacaud was a French military operation in Chad, that took place between 20 February 1978 and May 1980. Its aim was to support the Chadian army in protecting N'Djamena from the FROLINAT.- History :...
, in Chad
Chad
Chad , officially known as the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west...
.
In 1980, promoted to captain, Irastorza was given command of a company
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
of the 8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment
8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment
The 8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment is an airborne regiment in the French Army. It is an elite unit that can be rapidly sent anywhere in the world...
.
From 1982, he taught at the instruction centre for military preparation in Montpellier
Montpellier
-Neighbourhoods:Since 2001, Montpellier has been divided into seven official neighbourhoods, themselves divided into sub-neighbourhoods. Each of them possesses a neighbourhood council....
, until 1985 when he joined the general staff of the 3rd military region in Rennes
Rennes
Rennes is a city in the east of Brittany in northwestern France. Rennes is the capital of the region of Brittany, as well as the Ille-et-Vilaine department.-History:...
as officer for logistics.
Senior officer and higher studies
Irastorza then completed his studies and oriented himself towards a high-ranking career by attending the École d'application de l'infanterie, obtaining a Master of Advanced Studies in Defence and international relationsInternational relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
in 1986 and attending the École supérieure de guerre the next year.
In 1989, he obtained the degree that validates training in command and general staff duties. He then joined the RIMAP as chief of operations.
Promoted to lieutenant-colonel, Irastorza assumed command of the 8e RPIMa in 1991. The next year, he supervised the 1st French battalion of the UNTAC
United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia
The United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia was a United Nations peacekeeping operation in Cambodia in 1992–93. It was also the first occasion on which the UN had taken over the administration of an independent state, organized and run an election , had its own radio station and jail,...
.
From 1993 to 1996, Irastorza was desk officer and second in command at the complement officer of the general staff of the Army, in Paris. He then moved on to serve at the office of military personnel of the Army (DPMAT); from 2000, he was under-director of the DPMAT in charge of recruitment.
General officer
Irastorza was promoted to Brigadier GeneralBrigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
on 1 October 2000.
In 2002, Irastorza went to supervise the École d'application de l'infanterie. From 2004, he served as aid to the head of the chief of the Force d'action Terrestre.
From 15 June 2005 and June 2006, he commanded the Force Licorne
Operation Licorne
Operation Unicorn is the name of the French Armed Forces's peacekeeping operation in support of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire. The French forces have been stationed in the country since shortly after the outbreak of the Ivorian Civil War...
in the Ivory Coast.
Irastorza has served as Chief of Staff of the French Army
Chief of Staff of the French Army
The Chief of the Staff of the French Army is the professional head of the French Army. The current Chief of Staff of the French Army has been General Elrick Irastorza since 2 July 2008.-French Army Chiefs of Staff:*Raoul Le Mouton De Boisdeffre...
since 2 July 2008. He is due to serve in this capacity until 31 August 2011.
Honours
- Commander of the Legion of Honour
- Commander of the Order of National MeritOrdre National du MériteThe Ordre national du Mérite is an Order of State awarded by the President of the French Republic. It was founded on 3 December 1963 by President Charles de Gaulle...
- Cross of military valourCroix de la Valeur MilitaireThe Croix de la Valeur Militaire is a military decoration of France that recognizes individual holding a mention in Dispatches earned in theaters of operations which are not subject to the award of the Croix de guerre....
- Croix du CombattantCroix du combattantThe Croix du combattant is a French decoration that recognizes, as its name implies, those who fought in combat for France.-History:...
- Overseas MedalOverseas MedalThe Overseas Medal is a commemorative or campaign medal issued to members of the French Armed Forces for participating in operations outside national territory...
- Medal of National DefenceMédaille de la Défense nationaleThe Médaille de la Défense nationale is a French military decoration. It was created by Charles Hernu, Minister of Defense and established by the decree of April 21, 1982. It rewards particularly honorable service rendered to the military for their participation in operational activities...
- Medal of National gratitudeMédaille de reconnaissance de la NationThe Medaille de Reconnaissance de la Nation is a French honor medal created 12 April 2002 awarded to both the military and civilians.-Eligibility:...
d'Afrique du Nord
Sources and references
- Biography, Frence ministry of Defence