13e DBLE: 3e CIE in New Caledonia in 2025 | French Foreign Legion Information

The 3rd Company of the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade (13e DBLE) has been deployed in New Caledonia, a French overseas territory in the South Pacific, since March 2025. The Short-Term Mission (Mission de Courte Durée, MCD), which usually lasts four months, focuses on maintaining order and security in the region. The company has temporarily reinforced the New Caledonia Pacific Marine Infantry Regiment (RIMaP-NC).

During their deployment, the legionnaires have participated in the regiment’s activities. From late April to early May, they took part in Croix du Sud 2025, the largest humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training exercise in the South Pacific. The exercise is held every two years in New Caledonia with participation from multiple Pacific nations, including units from the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.

In late April, the 3rd Company also commemorated the anniversary of the 1863 Battle of Camerone, the most important tradition for the French Foreign Legion. Additionally, in late May, the 13e DBLE legionnaires conducted live-fire exercises with 81 mm mortars, marking the first such training for a French unit in New Caledonia in five years.

The 3rd Company is scheduled to return to France in July 2025.

13e DBLE - Foreign Legion - 3rd Company - 3e CIE - New Caledonia - 2025 — Two members of the 13e DBLE (green berets) during the opening ceremony of Exercise Croix du Sud in New Caledonia, late April 2025.

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