Tuesday, May 14, 2019, in the courtyard of honor of the Invalides and in the presence of the Head of State, a national tribute is paid to the first masters Alain Bertoncello and Cédric de Pierrepont, two petty officers of the Hubert commando who died for France during release of hostages in Burkina Faso.
To the funereal and poignant sound of the bagpipes, their comrades carry the two coffins, covered with the tricolor flag and connected by a strap.
A detail that escapes the public, overwhelmed by emotion.
However, this "strap of life" (such is its official name) is more than a symbol: it is the trademark of combat swimmers, one of the most confidential and least publicized units of the French Navy. .
It is in Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer, in the Var, at the end of the peninsula, in Cannier, that the base of the CASM (submarine action commando) Hubert is located, more simply called commando Hubert .
Between 150 and 200 men, half of whom are certified swimmers...
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