In April 1940, an Air Marching Infantry Company was formed, under the command of Captain Sauvagnac, which served in the Niederbronn-les-Bains region of Alsace.

In October 1943, the 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment was attached to the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division and conducted intense training exercises with Douglas type planes.

[7] As an old combatant (French: un ancien) recalled: In this month of June, the rice fields were flooded, while we had to land smoothly and softly at night, we still had the inconvenience to extract from our pair of rangers (boots) a beautifully thick and sticky layer.

[7] The couple of hectares today are filled with corn fields centered by a stele which commemorates the sacrifices of the paratroopers and Legionnaires who served with distinction in the French Foreign Legion and who wrote a painful and glorious page in the history of the airborne troops of France.

[8] During the day at Arris, rebel terrorist groups intercepted a transport vehicle carrying dozens of Muslims and one couple of young teachers.

[8] Recovery, search and patrol operations in the Djebel were distracted by combat engagements with the rebels that slowed down the progression and lead to the loss of human life from one side like the other.

[8] The 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment participated at the request of the Lebanese Government in serving within the ranks of the Multinational Force in Lebanon in 1982.

In 1970, the 1er RCP created and implemented a system of "rotating combat companies" in New Caledonia, Réunion and Gabon and that in order to make ready immediate pre-positioned forces in case of operational necessity.

[12] The regiment demined the roads and rice fields in Cambodia, ameliorated and constructed schools and gave French lessons.

[12] The regiment also evacuated those exiting French citizens from the Ivory Coast, Gabon, Nouméa, Tchad, Mauritania and ex-Yugoslavia.

[12] Ten year later in June 1993, two combat companies of the 1er RCP land at the aerodrome of Phnom Penh, in the greater west of Cambodia.

[12] Whether on Patrols in search for opposing rebel groups, or escorting the convoys of the United Nations and Non-governmental organization; the missions of the regiment took place in a tense climate with the Khmer Rouge.

[12] The 1er RCP landed one reinforcing battalion part of the international brigade in Kosovo, a country ravaged by conflicts between Serbian authorities and Albanian separatists.

[12] The regiments immediately managed controlled riots and croud dispersions to the point of effect where the mission became a pivot prolongation to maintain status for a long term peace.

[12] At the end of 2002, a battalion of the 1er RCP prepositioned in Gabon, was projected in urgency to Abidjan in order to participate in the exiting of French citizens.

[12] As a result, the regiment prepositioned a 3-month duration operation to counter the offensives launched by the rebels and moved to the pursuit of other missions.

[12] In parallel with the departure and demand of global operations; the combat companies of the 1st Parachute Chasseur Regiment put into motion effect "Guépard Alert", enacted for urgent interventions.

[13] Day and night, the 5 combat Para Platoons, patrol, assured a continuous presence, visible and promising near a population torn by more than 25 years of war.

[13] Engaged at the corps of Battle Group Raptor, more than 600 paratroopers got acquainted with rigorous climate, the language barriers, the different cultures, the violence of combat, the improvised explosive devices and the suicide attacks of Afghanistan.

[13] For combat actions lead in Afghanistan in 2007 and in summer of 2011, the regimental colors were decorated with the Cross for Military Valour with 2 palms.

[14] As of January 26, 2013; both combat companies lead the dispositif and illustrated their tactical capabilities and conquered the Niger river while taking over the airport and the bridge of GAO through an air assault raid.

[14] Subsequently, the paratroopers were engaged in the Battle of Ifoghas at the heart of the enemy's sanctuary where they confronted at short range in heavy combat, determined insurgents tightly attached to the terrain.

[14] The regiment imposed heavy casualties on the enemy, captured numerous prisoners and recouped a significant quantity of ammunitions.

Sur la terre africaine l'avion les a menés Vers des combats et vers des peines Qui furent notre fierté Du Liban aux Balkans Les Rapaces du premier Ont toujours su verser leur sang Pour rétablir la paix

Régiment de Rapaces Reprenant le flambeau Prêt à fondre sur la menace Pour l'honneur du drapeau