50 years ago, on May 24, 1976, a helicopter transporting Foreign Legion elements crashed during a military exercise in the Horn of Africa. Six legionnaires died immediately; another two died from their injuries later. At the time, this was the deadliest day for the Legion since the end of the Algerian War in 1962. Although largely forgotten today, even in France, this sad event and its victims should be remembered.
50 Years Ago: The Foreign Legion’s First Counterterrorism Operation
In early February 1976, two French Foreign Legion units participated in an counterterrorism operation to rescue 31 French children kidnapped by Somali militants in the Horn of Africa. The extraordinary operation constitutes a significant episode in the history of the French Foreign Legion.
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1er REC: 1st Squadron leaves Djibouti
In early March 2025, the 1st Squadron of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC) successfully concluded its four-month mission within the 5th Overseas Combined Arms Regiment (5e RIAOM) in Djibouti, reinforcing France’s strategic commitment to stability in the Horn of Africa.
1er REG, 1er REC: Djibouti in 2025
Legionnaires from the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG) and 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC) continue their mission in the Horn of Africa. See images.
1er REC: 1st Squadron in Djibouti in 2024
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.
13e DBLE: 4th Company in Djibouti in 2024
In February 2024, the 4th Company of the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade (13e DBLE) deployed to Djibouti in the Horn of Africa, a former homeland of this regiment. The company will remain there for four months.
1er REC: 3rd Squadron in Djibouti in 2023
In early October 2023, the 3rd Squadron of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC) arrived in Djibouti, Horn of Africa. The squadron would carry out its tasks there for the next four months.
2e REI: 2022 Activities in Djibouti
Since June 2022, a company of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) is deployed to Djibouti, Horn of Africa, to form part of the French garrison there. See some images of the unit’s activities…
1er REC, 2e REI, 1er REG: A new mission in Djibouti from June 2022
Last week, several units of the French Foreign Legion landed in Djibouti, a country in the Horn of Africa, for carrying out the usual mission to maintain order and a French presence in this former colony of Frence. Their mission would last four months.
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2e REP: 1st Company to return from Djibouti
This week, the 1st Company of the 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP) is to return to Corsica from Djibouti, a small country in the Horn of Africa, where the airborne legionnaires have spent four months.
40 years ago: 1982 Mont Garbi Accident
40 years ago, in early February 1982, a common French military exercise was planned in Djibouti, a country in the Horn of Africa. A French Foreign Legion airborne platoon was to participate. The Legion paratroopers were ordered to carry out a routine training jump over a drop zone located nord-west of the capital. They boarded their aircraft and took off…