1er Régiment Étranger de Cavalerie, 1er REC. The only cavalry regiment within the French Foreign Legion, since the dissolution of 2nd Foreign Cavalry Regiment (2e REC). Created in Tunisia in 1922, the 1er REC moved from Bou Sfer, Algeria to Quartier Labouche, Orange (southern France) in October 1967. Since July 2014, 1er REC has been stationed at Camp de Carpiagne near Marseille, southern France.
The 1er REC participated in several military campaigns and operations. It served in the Rif War, Great Syrian Revolt, World War II, First Indochina War, Algerian War, Gulf War. The regiment was also involved in some important military operations – in Chad, Cambodia, ex-Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Mali or Central African Republic.
History of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment
See the history of 1er REC during the 1920 – 2014 period. Well-ordered data, including more than 50 images. From the Rif War until the conflict of Mali:
History of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment
Current structure of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment
The regiment is devided (in 2019) into 6 squadrons. It comprises around 880 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 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 cannon. 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) should leave the regiment, after more than 30 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 2019, 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)
1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment’s official website: 1er Régiment Étranger de Cavalerie
1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment’s current news
See the news and updates from the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC) posted on our website:
1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment’s latest news
1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment’s regimental song
The regimental song of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC):
La colonne
Location of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment
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