In late November and early December 2021, a large French-led joint maritime exercise Polaris 21 took place in the Mediterranean Sea. This multi-national, combined and inter-theatre exercise involved around 6,000 French troops from the French Army, Navy and Air Force, including legionnaires from the 13th Foreign Legion Half Brigade (13e DBLE), the only infantry elements taking part in the exercise.
13e DBLE: Physical training with Major Gérald
In his new video published by the official French Foreign Legion channel on YouTube, Major Gérald visited the famous 13th Foreign Legion Half Brigade (13e DBLE) at their Camp Larzac. His task was to help increase the physical fitness and agility of the legionnaires, for developing their operational readiness.
Exercise Baccarat 2021
Between October 15 and 21, a full-scale multinational Exercise Baccarat 2021 occurred in Southern France. Besides the Foreign Legion units, U.S. Marines and Spanish soldiers also participated.
Honor and Fidelity motto: 100th Anniversary
On this Saturday, October 16, in memory of Hubert Germain, a former officer of the 13e DBLE and the last “companion of the Liberation” (people awarded the Ordre de la Libération of the Free French during WWII) who has just passed away, the Foreign Legion celebrated the centenary of its motto Honneur et Fidélité.
13e DBLE: 2021 Training at CENTAC
In October 2021, legionnaires of the 13th Foreign Legion Half Brigade (13e DBLE) are deployed to the Aube department in north-central France, to train at the Combat Training Center (Centre d’Entraînement au Combat, CENTAC) at Mailly Camp, one of the most important French military training camps. see the images.
13e DBLE: Exercise Skrenvil 2021 alongside U.S. Marines, with new Griffon vehicles
Between late May and early June 2021, legionnaires with the 13th Foreign Legion Half Brigade (13e DBLE) participated in an amphibious exercise, Skrenvil 2021, to strengthen enhanced interoperability between the French Army, the Navy, and U.S. Marines.
Read more13e DBLE: Exercise Skrenvil 2021 alongside U.S. Marines, with new Griffon vehicles
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.
Foreign Legion: 2021 Camerone Day
On April 30, as every year since 1931, the French Foreign Legion celebrated their most important holiday, Camerone Day. This day marks the anniversary of the Battle of Camerone, the famed action which occurred in Mexico 158 years ago, in 1863.
13e DBLE: First VBMR Griffons arrived
Between March 10 and 12, 2021, the 13th Foreign Legion Half Brigade (13e DBLE) was receiving its first Multi-Role Armored Vehicles (VBMR), nicknamed Griffon. Part of the 2019-2025 modernization of the French Army, these armored personnel carriers are designed to replace the outdated Armored Frontline Vehicles (VAB), in service since 1976.