1er Régiment Étranger de Cavalerie, 1er REC. The only cavalry regiment within the French Foreign Legion, since the dissolution of the 2nd Foreign Cavalry Regiment (2e REC). Created in Tunisia in 1921-1922, the 1er REC moved from Bou Sfer, Algeria to Orange (Southern France) in October 1967. Since July 2014, the regiment has been stationed at Camp Carpiagne near Marseille, Southern France.
The 1er REC participated in several military campaigns and operations. It served in the Pacification of Morocco, the Great Syrian Revolt, World War II, the First Indochina War, the Algerian War, and in the Gulf War. The regiment was also involved in some important military operations – in Chad, Cambodia, former Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Mali or in the Central African Republic.
History of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment
Learn more about the history of the 1er REC, from 1920 to 2022. The article comprises all important data and events, and is supplemented with 60+ images. For those interested, you can visit the link:
History of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment
Current structure of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment
The regiment is divided (in 2023) into 6 squadrons. It comprises nearly 900 officers and legionnaires. A reserve squadron consisting of non-Legion reservists is also assigned to the regiment.
The 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment is the only cavalry regiment within the current Foreign Legion and thus the only unit of the Legion using heavy armored fighting vehicles. Its three armored squadrons are equipped with AMX 10 RC-R armored vehicles with a 105 mm gun. Another two squadrons serve as reconnaissance units. They are equipped with VBL all-terrain vehicles. Some of them bear the MILAN anti-tank guided missile system.
In 2018, the ERC-90 Sagaie six-wheeled armored all-terrain vehicle (with a 90 mm gun) left the regiment, after more than 20 years of service.
The 1er REC serves as an armored cavalry regiment of the 6th Light Armored Brigade (6e BLB). Other regiments of the Legion also made part of this brigade: 2e REI, 1er REG and 13e DBLE.
In 2023, the 1er REC is composed of:
- HQ & Logistics Squadron (Escadron de Commandement et de Logistique, ECL)
- 1st Squadron (1er Escadron, 1er ESC)
- 2nd Squadron (2e Escadron, 2e ESC)
- 3rd Squadron (3e Escadron, 3e ESC)
- 4th Squadron – Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron (Escadron d’Éclairage et d’Investigation, 4e ESC – EEI)
- 5th Squadron – Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron (5e ESC – EEI)
- Reserve Squadron (Escadron de Réserve, ER)
| NICKNAME: | Royal Etranger |
|---|---|
| ACTIVATION: | 1921-22 |
| MOTTO: | “Nec Pluribus Impar” (Like no other) |
| REGIM. MARCH: | La colonne |
| OFFIC. FB PAGE: | 1er Régiment Étranger de Cavalerie |
| FFL INFO POSTS: | 1er REC’s category |
Location of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment
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