1er REG, 13e DBLE: 2023 Training in Mexico | French Foreign Legion Information

From June 5 to 9, 2023, legionnaires of the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG) and the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade (13e DBLE) were carrying out joint military activities in Acapulco, Mexico.

These joint training activities in Mexico were part of the 2023 Mission Jeanne D’Arc (Joan of Arc). The mission is considered a long-lasting deployment that began in early February and lasts five months. The mission comprises two French ships, the Landing Helicopter Dock Dixmude and the frigate La Fayette, sailing around the world through Djibouti in the Horn of Africa, India, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, French Polynesia, Mexico, and the Caribbean before crossing the Atlantic Ocean and returning to France.

On board, there are Spahi cavalrymen (two platoons), artillerymen (a platoon), medical elements, and two platoons of legionnaires. The Legion platoons comprise 26 men each and are provided by the 2nd Company, 1er REG and the Support Company, 13e DBLE.

The Mission Jeanne D’Arc is carried out, first of all, for fresh cadets of the French Navy, while the legionnaires and other soldiers of the 6th Light Armored Brigade serve as the mission’s combined Landing Task Force (GTE), which is equipped with 40 vehicles. The GTE uses regular stops in each named country to train with local armed forces.

In Mexico, at the Acapulco naval base, the GTE including legionnaires trained shooting, amphibious assault, or abseiling alongside the Mexican 22nd Marine Infantry Battalion. Soldiers from both countries also completed a night raid on the island of La Roqueta and a full nautical raid.

Before their stop in Mexico, the 1er REG and 13e DBLE legionnaires trained in French Polynesia’s Tahiti in late May, as well as with Australian troops in Australia in mid-April. We also informed earlier about their participation in an exercise with Indian soldiers.

13e DBLE - 2023 - Mission Jeanne D’Arc - Mexico — 13e DBLE legionnaires as part of the 2023 Mission Jeanne D’Arc in Mexico, June 2023.

1er REG - 2023 - Mission Jeanne D’Arc - Legionnaire - Mexico — A 2nd Company, 1er REG legionnaire during joint military activities in *Acapulco*, Mexico.

2023 - Mission Jeanne D’Arc - training - Mexico — Mexican and French soldiers during joint military activities in *Acapulco*, Mexico, June 2023.

1er REG - 2023 - Mission Jeanne D’Arc - Legionnaires - Tahiti - Polynesia — 2nd Company, 1er REG legionnaires train in Tahiti, French Polynesia, late May 2023.

1er REG - 2023 - Mission Jeanne D’Arc - Legionnaires - Australia — 2nd Company, 1er REG legionnaires in Australia in mid-April 2023, with a member of the 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery.

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