13e DBLE: 2022 Combat Swimmers | French Foreign Legion Information

In February 2022, new Palmeurs (combat swimmers) were decorated and integrated in the 13th Foreign Legion Half Brigade (13e DBLE). They are the newest elements within the regiment.

The palmeurs (in fact, flippers in French) are trained to develop and complete their know-how in tactics, techniques, and procedures that focus on clandestine infiltration prior to amphibious landing operations. They benefit from theoretical and practical training, both day and night, focusing on flipper infiltration in order to provide information on the objective and to carry out reconnaissance of the beach and its surroundings.

Also, the palmeurs have to be able to assault the beach in a zodiac and continue its mission on the ground or hold it for the benefit of the rest of the regiment and ensure the landing of the latter.

The three-week course for the palmeurs took place at Fort de Brescou, an old fortress built on the Brescou Island. The island is located in the Mediterranean Sea, near Agde, a commune in Southern France. The new combat swimmers were decorated with a 13e DBLE palmeur badge from their colonel (Col Aubry), and were visited and congratulated by General Ozanne, the commander of the 6th Armored Light Brigade (6e BLB) of which the demi-brigade is part.

13e DBLE: 2022 Combat Swimmers - Palmeurs

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