Since June 2023, the 1st Company of the French Foreign Legion’s 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) has been deployed to New Caledonia, a special overseas collectivity of France in the southwest Pacific Ocean, east of Australia.

The 2e REI legionnaires are in New Caledonia for the so-called Short Duration Mission (MCD) that usually lasts four months. They became Motorized Company (COMMOTO) of the New Caledonia Pacific Marine Infantry Regiment (RIMaP-NC). The COMMOTO is based at Camp Nandai close to Bourail, in the central part of Grande Terre, the principal island of the New Caledonia archipelago. The unit is composed of rotational infantry elements coming from France for the MCD deployment.

In New Caledonia, the usual tasks of the RIMaP-NC are maintaining order and a French presence in the region, daily training, working in support of the local population, or conducting joint military exercises with American, Australian or New Zealander soldiers.

In Australia between late July and early August, the 2e REI men took part in U.S.-Australia military exercise Talisman Sabre 2023, one of the world’s largest joint military drills with over 30,000 participants involved.

By the way, currently, legionnaires from the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP) are being deployed to New Caledonia and have formed the COMPARA (parachute company), RIMaP-NC. Also legionnaires from the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG) are present there; they usually make part of the regiment’s COMIA (combined arms company).

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Related posts:
2e REI: 2022 Activities in Djibouti
2e REP: 5th Company left New Caledonia
2e REP: 3rd Company in New Caledonia
2e REI: 5th Company dissolved