The CAST is the heir of the Independent Special Grouping (Groupement Spécial Autonome, GSA) created in 1997 and then commanded the 1er RPIMa and a special operations flight belonging to the 4th command and manoeuvre helicopters regiment (4e Régiment d'Hélicoptères de Commandement et de Manœuvre, 4e RHCM) of the ALAT.

The brigade des forces spéciales Terre (BFST) was activated on 1 July 2002 and included the 13e RDP.

The BFST has supported the peacekeeping operation in Côte d'Ivoire (Opération Licorne) and Afghanistan (Mission Héraclès).

The brigade des forces spéciales Terre became the commandement des forces spéciales Terre (COM FST, division level) on 1 July 2016.

[1] It was replaced by the Special Actions Command Terre as of January 2024.