On July 23, 2019, the 16th stage of the famous Tour de France, an annual three-week bicycle race held in France, started and also finished in Nimes. A city in the Occitanie region of southern France with many Roman Empire monuments. And the garrison town of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI), the longest-serving regiment of the Foreign Legion.
Foreign Legion: 2019 Bastille Day
On the 14th July 2019, Foreign Legion regiments participated in ceremonies in their garrison towns to celebrate the French National Day (called Bastille Day in the English-speaking world). See some nice images.
2e REI: He joined the Legion in 1979. He leaves in 2019, after 40 years of service
In the morning of June 11, 2019, a senior non-commissioned officer of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) leaves the regiment and also the French Foreign Legion, after his long 40 years of service spent with this famous institution.
Read more2e REI: He joined the Legion in 1979. He leaves in 2019, after 40 years of service
GOLE: 43rd anniversary of the deadly accident in the Horn of Africa
In late May 1976, an air accident occurred during a military exercise in the then French Territory of the Afars and the Issas (TFAI, today’s Djibouti), a country located in the Horn of Africa. A French Army helicopter crashed. Eight men on board were killed, including six legionnaires from GOLE (Foreign Legion Task Force). Another two legionnaires died later. At the time, the incident became the deadliest accident for the Legion since the end of the Algerian War (1962). It has still remained the second deadliest accident for the Legion since then. Nevertheless, for unknown reasons, the fatal crash has been completely forgotten in France. To remember the victims, see our updated article dedicated to this sad event.
Read moreGOLE: 43rd anniversary of the deadly accident in the Horn of Africa
Foreign Legion: 2019 Camerone Day
On April 30, 2019, the French Foreign Legion commemorated the 156th anniversary of the Battle of Camerone, the legendary and most important event in its history. Camerone Day is the most important day of the year for all current or former legionnaires of the Foreign Legion. See 2019 Camerone Day videos and images from several Legion regiments.
2e REI: Infernal Run 2019
On April 12, 2019, the sixth year of Infernal Run took place. An annual event organized by the French Foreign Legion’s 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) occured near Nimes, the regiment’s garrison in southern France. See a nice video + photos.
2e REI + 1er REG: CENTAC in April 2019
In April 2019, legionnaires of the French Foreign Legion’s 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) and 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG) meet together during another joint military exercise to maintain their operational readiness and to train cooperation within a combined task force.
2e REI + 1er REG: CETIA at Suippes in 2019
In February 2019, legionnaires of the French Foreign Legion’s 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) and 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG) participated in a joint military exercise to train cooperation within a combined task force.