In early November 2024, the 1st Squadron of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC), nicknamed as “Romans,” officially became the 3rd Squadron 5th Overseas Combined Arms Regiment (5e RIAOM). This French regiment is stationed in Djibouti, Horn of Africa. The Foreign Legion cavalrymen will serve there for at least three months.
85 years ago: Foreign Legion’s only regiment in the Middle East was activated
85 years ago, in late 1939, the only Foreign Legion regiment to guard the French interests in the Middle East was organized, with its units stationed in Syria and Lebanon. Following the 1941 Syria-Lebanon Campaign against a British invasion, the regiment was inactivated. In 1949, it was reconstituted in Tunisia, North Africa, though it was ultimately disbanded in mid-1955.
Read more85 years ago: Foreign Legion’s only regiment in the Middle East was activated
13e DBLE: 2024 Heavy Mortar Platoon
Recently, a 120 mm heavy mortar platoon was formed within the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade (13e DBLE). In November 2024, the platoon took part in a military exercise.
Foreign Legion: 2024 Armistice Day
Today, on November 11, 2024, the French Foreign Legion detachments participated in the ceremonies commemorating Armistice Day, to honor the memory of military veterans and those who died in the line of duty. See images.
5e RE: Head of the French Armed Forces in Mayotte
On October 11, 2024, General Thierry Burkhard, Chief of Staff of the French Armed Forces, paid a visit to the 5th Foreign Regiment (5e RE) in Mayotte, Indian Ocean. He was the first head of the French Armed Forces to visit the island.
2e REP, 1er REG: New Caledonia in 2024
Legionnaires from the French Foreign Legion continue to deploy abroad, also in late 2024. Recently, detachments from the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP) and the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG) have deployed to New Caledonia in the Pacific, not far from Australia.
PHOTOS: 3e REI in Madagascar in 1965
Another part of the PHOTOS series. Today we share rare photographs presenting the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI) in 1965. At that time, the regiment was stationed in Madagascar, a large island in the Indian Ocean, located off the eastern coast of Southern Africa. The island was a French colony until 1960.
2e REP: 2024 Saint Michael’s Day
Last month, in late September 2024, the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP) commemorated the patron of all French paratroopers, Saint Michael the Archangel. The 29th of September, called Saint Michael’s Day (or simply Saint Michel in France), is the regimental holiday.
1er REC: 2024 Foreign Legion Triathlon
On October 3, 2024, another edition of the Foreign Legion Triathlon was held near Marseille, Southern France. The still relatively new (and not so famed) race is organized by the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC) and attended by non-commissioned officers.
1er, 2e REGs: 40th and 25th Anniversaries
In late September and early October 2024, both engineers regiments of the French Foreign Legion, the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG) and the 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment (2e REG), celebrated the anniversary of their creation. See the images.
Foreign Legion: 2024 SAED Presentation
Watch a nice presentation of a SAED commando-like platoon of the French Foreign Legion. A combat support platoon, it is still a relatively little-known unit among Foreign Legion enthusiasts. You’ll learn more about the platoon in this article.