2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (France)
The 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (French: 2e Régiment Étranger d'Infanterie, 2e REI) is an infantry regiment of the Foreign Legion in the French Army. The regiment is one of two mechanized infantry regiments of the 6th Light Armoured Brigade.
| 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment | |
|---|---|
| 2e régiment étranger d'infanterie | |
| Active | 3 Apr 1841 – 1 Apr 1943 1 Aug 1945 – 1 Jan 1968 1 Sept 1972 – present |
| Country | France |
| Branch | French Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Close-quarters combat Counter-insurgency Desert warfare Jungle warfare Raiding Reconnaissance Urban warfare |
| Size | ~1,300 men |
| Part of | 31e Brigade (1981–1984) 6th Light Armoured Division |
| Garrison/HQ | Nîmes, France |
| Nickname(s) | 2e Étranger (2nd Foreign) |
| Motto(s) | Être prêt ("Be ready") |
| Colors | Green and Red |
| March | Anne-Marie du "2" |
| Mascot(s) | Tapanar (mule) |
| Anniversaries | Camerone Day (April 30) El-Moungar day (September 2) |
| Engagements |
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| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Colonel Stève Carleton |
| Notable commanders | de MacMahon de Canrobert de Chabrières Carbuccia |
| Insignia | |
| Beret insignia | |
| Abbreviation | 2ème REI |
Since the regiment's arrival from Bonifacio in 1983, it has been stationed at Quartier Colonel de Chabrières; named in honor of Colonel de Chabrières who was shot in the chest while leading a charge of the regiment. Quartier Colonel Chabrières is situated in Nimes, a historical Roman city, in the south of France.
An armored infantry regiment, equipment includes more than 135 Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé (VAB) and Véhicule Blindé Léger (VBL), to provide armoured protection of personnel during combat. The regiment also has the Véhicule blindé de combat d'infanterie (VBCI). The Regiment has responsibility for field testing new equipment for the French Army as a whole.
The regiment benefits from a long tradition of conflicts and interventions. Recent engagements, from the Balkans to Afghanistan while passing by the Ivory Coast and the Central African Republic added additional experiences for the regiment.