Foreign Legion: Exercise Arc-21 in Japan

Between May 11 and 16, 2021, the French Foreign Legionnaires participated in a joint exercise Jeanne D’Arc 21, alongside their allies from the Japan Self Defense Force, Australian Defence Force, and U.S. Armed Forces. The exercise took place at Camp Ainoura (Naval Base Sasebo), and at Kirishima Maneuver Area, both located on the island of Kyushu, in the south of Japan. It was for the very first time when French troops took part in such exercise in Japan.

The exercise served as an opportunity to improve interoperability among the four nations’ forces in pursuit of regional security tasks. The French were represented by two Foreign Legion platoons from the 13th Foreign Legion Half Brigade (13e DBLE) and 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG). These platoons are now part of an embarked task force (GTE) sailing on board of the French helicopter carrier Tonnerre; this naval mission lasts about ten weeks.

At the beginning of the exercise (named after Joan of Arc, a heroine of France from the 15th century), staff officers from France, U.S., and Japanese forces conducted planning during a staff exercise at Camp Ainoura, Naval Base Sasebo, in preparation for the joint field training. At the same time, the ordinary men from the Legion, U.S. Marines and JSDF got acquainted with each other’s weapons. This was followed by shooting training.

Upon the staff exercise, the field training began at Kirishima Maneuver Area, located more to the south of the island. During this training, a multilateral ship to shore amphibious air assault onto the area occurred. Japan Self Defense Force CH-47 Chinook picked up legionnaires from the Tonnerre, while another aircraft transported Japanese Marines from Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, and U.S. Marines from 3d Marine Logistics Group to provide fire support for the legionnaires as they assaulted an urban objective at the training area.

Foreign Legion: Exercise Arc-21 in Japan
Legionnaires during the staff exercise at Camp Ainoura, Naval Base Sasebo, May 2021.
Foreign Legion: Exercise Arc-21 in Japan
Legionnaires have a discussion with a U.S. Marine at Camp Ainoura, May 2021.
Foreign Legion: Exercise Arc-21 in Japan
Japanese Marines and a Japanese legionnaire from the 1er REG with the Howa Type 89 Para assault rifle at Camp Ainoura, May 2021.
Foreign Legion: Exercise Arc-21 in Japan
13e DBLE legionnaires are teaching Japanese Marines how to operate the HK 416F rifle, Camp Ainoura, May 2021.

Foreign Legion: Exercise Arc-21 in Japan

Foreign Legion: Exercise Arc-21 in Japan
13e DBLE legionnaires leaving JSDF CH-47 Chinook at Kirishima Maneuver Area, May 2021.

Foreign Legion: Exercise Arc-21 in Japan

Foreign Legion: Exercise Arc-21 in Japan

Foreign Legion: Exercise Arc-21 in Japan
1er REG legionnaires at Kirishima Maneuver Area, May 2021.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jr2Ih1rcJko

 

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