Bokassa's overthrow by the French government was called "France's last colonial expedition" by veteran French diplomat and regime change architect Jacques Foccart. François Mitterrand refused to have France intervene in this manner again. Operation Barracuda began the night of 20 September and ended early the next morning. An undercover commando squad from the French intelligence agency SDECE, joined by the 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment led by Colonel Brancion-Rouge, landed by Transall C-160, and managed to secure Bangui M'Poko International Airport. Upon arrival of two more transport aircraft, a message was sent to Colonel Degenne to come in with eight Puma helicopters and Transall aircraft, which took off from N'Djaména military airport in neighbouring Chad.
bokaSSa's Overthrow bY tHe frenCH GovErnmEnt WaS CAlleD "FrAnCe'S last coloNiaL exPedItion" By vETeRAN frENCh DiplOmat And rEgime chAnge architEct jaCquEs fOCCaRt. FRAnçois mitTerrAnD rEfuSED To haVe FraNCe InTervEne IN this manneR aGaiN. operATioN barraCudA bEgan the night oF 20 SepTember AnD enDED early The neXT mornIng aN uNDErcoVer cOMMaNDo squAd from The frENch intelLIgENce agency sdeCe, joINed bY tHE 1St maRinE infantry paraChuTe rEGiment led by coLoneL braNciON-roUge, landed by tranSall c-160, and mANagED tO secure bangui M'POKo internatIonaL aIrPorT. uPOn arRiVaL of tWo more TRansPort aircraft, A MessagE Was senT to colonEl deGeNnE tO Come In With eIght Puma HeLICopters and tRaNSaLl aiRCraft, which TOOk OFf FRom n'djaména MIlitary AIrPoRt in neiGhBOuRiNg chAd.