1er REC: 4th Squadron in Mayotte in 2025 | French Foreign Legion Information

In late July 2025, the 4th Squadron of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC) became the new 1st Company of the 5th Foreign Regiment (5e RE) in Mayotte, Indian Ocean.

During a military ceremony held at the Quartier Cabaribère on July 24, the commanding officer of the 5th Foreign Regiment officially handed over the 1st Company’s fanion to the commander of the 4th Squadron, 1er REC. This squadron is deployed to Mayotte for a period of four months as part of a routine short-term mission (mission de courte durée, MCD).

The 1er REC cavalrymen will be actively engaged in operational training detachments in support of partner forces in Madagascar and Lesotho, while also contributing to the 5e RE’s ongoing permanent missions and operational readiness activities.

The 5th Foreign Regiment was reactivated in Mayotte in late 2024, replacing there the DLEM. The regiment is expected to gradually increase its personnel strength over the coming months through the rotation of additional units.

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