See an official reportage published by the French Army that covers the trip of a platoon with the 5th Company, 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP) to a remote village in New Caledonia, Pacific Ocean. The week-long trip occurred in September 2023, during the unit’s standard four-month deployment to this special overseas collectivity of France.
1er REG, 2e REG: 2023 Saint Barbara Day
In early December 2023, French Foreign Legion combat engineers with the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG) and the 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment (2e REG) commemorated once again their patron, Saint Barbara (Sainte Barbe in French).
Major Gérald: Secret tips for more effective abdominal exercises
The French Foreign Legion has published another useful video starring Major Gérald, the highest-ranking NCO serving as head of the Sports Office, 1st Foreign Regiment (1er RE) in Aubagne. In this new video, he shares his secret tips for better strengthening of abdominal muscles.
Read moreMajor Gérald: Secret tips for more effective abdominal exercises
1er REC, 2e REI, 1er REG: Exercise BIA 23
This week, on November 27, began an important tactical combined arms maneuver BIA 23 that takes place in the Marne Department in northeastern France, north of Camp Mailly. Organized by the 6th Light Armored Brigade (6e BLB), it is to be the very first French exercise involving a combined arms brigade of the modern SCORPION generation ready for an operational deployment. Among the participating units are the Foreign Legion’s 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC), 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI), and the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG).
Andrew J. Mitchell: Mafteiu and the Compagnie Montée d’Algérie
In mid-November 2023, a new English-written book dedicated to the French Foreign Legion was released: Mafteiu and the Compagnie Montée d’Algérie, subtitled The obscure history of the little-known French Foreign Legion Mounted Company of Algeria, 1881 – 1939. This is another original work of our friend Andrew J. Mitchell, an Irish amateur historian and a passionate Foreign Legion insignia collector.
Read moreAndrew J. Mitchell: Mafteiu and the Compagnie Montée d’Algérie
1er REG: Exercise MILEX 23 in Spain
In late October 2023, the first-ever joint European Union military exercise took place. Held in Spain, and carried completely outside NATO structures, the exercise involved units of the European Union’s member states. Among them were also combat engineers from the Foreign Legion’s 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG). See images.
Circuit Training Workout with Major Gérald
Watch a new video featuring Major Gérald, head of the Sports Office at the 1st Foreign Regiment (1er RE) in Aubagne. In this session, he demonstrates a simple circuit workout that cycles through different exercises with minimal rest, designed to build strength and muscular endurance. Enjoy!
Foreign Legion: 2023 Armistice Day
In most English-speaking countries, November 11 is known as Veterans Day or Remembrance Day, honoring military veterans and those who have died in the line of duty. In France, this day is still known as Armistice Day, in memory of the 1918 armistice signed between the Allies and Germany that ended World War I. Since 2012, all those who died for France have also been commemorated during Armistice Day. The French Foreign Legion participates annually in those ceremonies. See images.
Legion: Digital Kepi Blanc Magazine
Since November 2023, the Képi Blanc Magazine, a monthly journal of the famous French Foreign Legion, has been available also in the digital version! For those interested, below are instructions on how to order the digital (online) version of this magazine.
1er REG: New Caledonia in 2023
Since June 2023, three regiments of the French Foreign Legion had some of their legionnaires deployed to New Caledonia, a special overseas collectivity of France in the southwest Pacific Ocean, east of Australia. Among them were men of the 1st Company, 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG). Before their departure back to France, they managed to improve their camp.
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.