The legionnaires from the Desert Task Force “Dragon”, armed mostly by the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI), continued in the desert of West Africa their effort against local terrorist groups even in June 2020, within France’s Operation Barkhane.
History of a Foreign Legion unit to receive and train recruits in the 1930s and 1940s
In 1933, the Foreign Legion’s 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment, comprising around 8,000 legionnaires, established within its ranks a new unit to reduce the load on its administration. The new formation had to receive, organize and train recruits for the Legion, carry out the discharge procedure for those legionnaires returning to the civilian life, as well as other important tasks…
Read moreHistory of a Foreign Legion unit to receive and train recruits in the 1930s and 1940s
Operation Barkhane: Immersion in the three-border region
See the French Army’s nice report on Foreign Legion military activities in the important three-border region of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, situated in the Sahel area of West Africa, around April-May 2020, aimed at local armed terrorist groups (GAT).
Read moreOperation Barkhane: Immersion in the three-border region
1er REC: Activities for 3rd ESC and ECL in France in June 2020
While the vast majority of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC) has been currently deployed to Mali in West Africa since this February for at least four months, there are two squadrons which remain in France, at the regiment’s Camp Carpiagne near Marseille.
Read more1er REC: Activities for 3rd ESC and ECL in France in June 2020
1er REG: Training for fresh legionnaires
In May 2020, fresh legionnaires recently arriving to the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er REG) after their basic training at Castelnaudary, they took part in an initial regimental instruction at Camp Caylus in southern France.
2e REG: 2020 Urban Warfare Training
See a new video released by the 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment (2e REG), the youngest regiment of the Foreign Legion. The video shows basic urban warfare training for the regiment’s recently arrived young legionnaires.
3e REI: Activities in May 2020
Because of the health restrictions, the military life all over the world have seen some specific difficulties. However, training, missions and operations have to continue. Even in French Guiana in South America, where is stationed the 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment (3e REI) of the French Foreign Legion.
2e REP: Promo Training 2020
See a nice video published by the Foreign Legion’s 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP). The video presents the initial parachute training for the fresh legionnaires who had finished their four-month basic instruction at Catelnaudary and arrived at the regiment.
44 years ago: Deadly accident in Africa
In late May 1976, an air accident occurred during a military exercise in the then French Territory of the Afars and the Issas (TFAI, today’s Djibouti), a country located in the Horn of Africa. A French Army helicopter crashed. Eight men on board were killed, including six legionnaires from GOLE (Foreign Legion Operational Group). Another two legionnaires died later. At the time, the incident became the deadliest accident for the Legion since the end of the Algerian War (1962). And it still remains the second deadliest accident for the Legion since 1962. Nevertheless, for unknown reasons, the fatal crash has been completely forgotten in France. Here is the article dedicated to this sad event and to pay homage to the victims.
1er REC: Legionnaire heading an armored platoon during Operation Barkhane in Mali
Adjudant Franc from the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (1er REC), the only cavalry regiment of the French Foreign Legion, is currently deployed to Mali (West Africa). He and his men operate within Operation Barkhane, a French counter-terrorism operation in the Sahel region of Africa. Having passed 16 years with the Foreign Legion, he is now a respected platoon leader.
Read more1er REC: Legionnaire heading an armored platoon during Operation Barkhane in Mali
Foreign Legion: Useful back exercises with Major Gérald
In his another great video published by the official French Foreign Legion channel on YouTube, Major Gérald, the head of the Sports Office of the 1st Foreign Regiment (1er RE), presents very useful basic workouts for strengthening your postural muscles. This very important training prevents you from several types of injuries of your back and help you to maintain a good posture.
Read moreForeign Legion: Useful back exercises with Major Gérald