Initiated in 2008 and reinforced in 2010, Harpie is an interministerial operation of significant magnitude aimed at fighting illegal clandestine mining activities. The 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment, intervened under prefectoral requisistion in support of forces of the gendarmerie. Launching operations from Saint-Georges and Camopi on the Oyapock river, combat sections conduct jungle patrol warfare operations lasting from a couple of days to a couple of weeks. These jungle operations require specific operational preparations and perfect know-how and knowledge of the equatorial jungle forests.