On the evening of 15 December 2015, a ceremony took place at Camp Raffalli, the base of the French Foreign Legion’s 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP) placed near Calvi, Corsica. The ceremony marked the establishment of 5th Company.

Our website has already informed about the planning establishment of the new combat company within the REP here: French Foreign Legion: New units establishing

On 15 December 2015, the 5th Combat Company (5CIE) of 2e REP was officially established. Within the 2e REP history the last 5th combat company existed in French Indochina in 1955, in the then 2e BEP (Battalion). The then company participated in the 1952 Battle of Na San or in the well-known 1954 Battle of Dien Bien Phu, where the company was decimated and temporarily ceased to exist (together with the entire 2e BEP).

Since all 2e REP combat companies are trained in different military specialities (e.g. urban warfare, mountain warfare…), the new 5th Company, commanded by Captain Henri, will be trained in desert warfare.

During the ceremony, several 2e REP officers and legionnaires were awarded. Among the awarded was Command Sergeant Major/Regimental Sergeant Major Jean R. Loew, who has served with the Foreign Legion for more than 38 years already, starting his career as a simple legionnaire in 1977.

According to officials, the 2e REP will expand in 2016 to its strength of the 1980s.

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See more images here: 5e Compagnie de combat officialisée au 2e REP

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Related posts:
2e REP: Para Legion 2016 Video Clip
2e REI: 5th Company recreated
1er REC: Dissolution of a squadron
Documentary 2015: Foreign Legion – for adventure and for France