In 2018, the French Foreign Legion’s paratroopers commemorate the 70th anniversary of their service. In 1948, the first Legion paratroopers celebrated Saint Michael, their patron adopted by all French airborne units in Hanoi, the capital of then French Indochina in June 1948. 70 years later, the legionnaires of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP) celebrated Saint Michael Day (September 29th), their regimental holiday, by Lake Nino in Corsica. See some nice images.
2e BEP: 70th anniversary of the predecessor to the 2e REP
70 years ago, on October 1, 1948, the 2nd Foreign Parachute Battalion (2e BEP) of the Foreign Legion was established in North Africa. The unit would be shipped to Southeast Asia a few months later, to became the most awarded French battalion of the First Indochina War (1946-54). After having returned back to North Africa in late 1955, its men helped to constitute its famous successor, the 2e REP (Regiment).
2e REP: GCP jumping in Mali
Since June 2018, several companies of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP) have been deployed to Mali, a country in West Africa, to participate in anti-terrorist Operation Barkhane. To support the 2e REP units, a GCP commando group also serves in Mali. During this summer, the commandos conducted an operational jump to find local rebel groups.
2e REP: Mountain course in Corsica 2018
In June 2018, the legionnaires-alpinists of the 2nd Company, 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP) conducted a three-week course to gain a mountain badge. The course took place in the mountains of Corsica, an island located south-east of mainland France and the homeland to the Legion’s paratroopers.
2e REP: Sniper training at Caylus 2018
See the legionnaires-snipers of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP), the only airborne unit of the French Foreign Legion, while training at Camp Caylus for a coming annual sniper challenge.
40 years ago: A successful rescue operation in Kolwezi
On May 19, 1978, the legionnaires of the Foreign Legion’s 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP) jumped over Kolwezi, a city located in then Zaire, Central Africa. Their task was to rescue over 2,000 Europeans captured and held by local rebels. Thanks to the success of the operation and the international media coverage at the time, the regiment became popular across the world…
2e REP: 2018 Camerone Day Challenges
An interesting videoclip showing legionnaires of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP), the only airborne unit of the French Foreign Legion, during 2018 Camerone Day challenges in Corsica.
Foreign Legion: 2018 Camerone Day
This Monday, April 30, 2018, the French Foreign Legion commemorated the 155th anniversary of the famous Battle of Camerone. This day is the most important day of the year for all current or former legionnaires of the Legion. The well-known battle is seen as a sample illustration of bravery and determination of fighting to the finish. Because of that, the event became the sacred symbol of the Foreign Legion to be commemorated annually.