6th Foreign Engineer Regiment

The 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment (6e régiment étranger de génie) was a unit of the French Foreign Legion integrated in the rapid reaction force and part component of the 6th Light Armoured Division, 6e DLB. The 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment became the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment 1e REG in 1999.

The 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment 6e REG in its previous function and current Legion REG successor, like all the various regiments of the Legion was an elite regiment. The 6e REG and all regiments of the French Foreign Legion, differentiated from all armies of the world due to, that their Legion Majors, Legion Adjudant Chefs and Legion Adjudants, formed both a French and non-French (Foreign) elite composition.

Creation and different denominations
The 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment (6e REG) was created on July 1, 1984 at à Laudun (Gard). The regiment was redesignated as the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (1er Regiment Etranger de Genie) on June 30, 1999 with the creation of the 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment 2e REG. At creation, the 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment (6e REG) comprised a command, 3 combat companies, reconnaissance and support company (CCAS). On the eve of the regiment change to the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment, 1er REG; the 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment already included:


 * Legion Pionniers Groups
 * 1st Amphibious Combat Company
 * 2nd Combat Company of Assault Mechanized Engineering
 * 3rd Combat Company of Aerotransportable Assault Engineering
 * 4th Combat Company was created in 1996
 * The Combat Reconnaissance Company ( CA ) compromising heavy equipments
 * The Command and Logistics Company ( CCs )
 * DINOPS Teams of Nautical Subaquatic Intervention Operational Detachment ( Détachement d'Intervention Nautique Operationnelle Subaquatique ) specialized in Parachute, Underwater Demolition and Diving.

History garrison, campaigns and battles

 * Tchad (Operation Epervier)
 * Irak (Opération Daguet). During the Gulf War, DINOPS operated in support of the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division, and provided the EOD services to the division. After the cease fire took hold they conducted a joint mine clearing operation alongside a Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diver Team Unit.
 * Somalia (Operation Oryx)
 * Cambodge (United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia) (Opérations Marquis 1 et 2)
 * Ex-Yougoslavia - Sarajevo (UNPROFOR)
 * Ex-Yougoslavia - Sarajevo/Rajlovac (IFOR)
 * Kosovo (Kosovo Force)

Traditions


From the principle of legion traditions, the 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment ( 6e REG ) inherits the traditions and battle honors of the 6th Foreign Infantry Regiment.

Insignias
The insign retakes in a symbolic part the features of the 6e REI in the form of a hexagon, the three Roman columns of the temple of Jupiter at Baalbek to the left of the insign and the symbols of the French Foreign Legion: red and green colors with the grenade with 7 flames in the center.

The specialty of the regiment is symbolized by the "pot en tête" ( metal military helmet ) and armor used by sergeants at arms in the 13th century and later worn by pionniers sapeurs. the number of the regiment is indicated in the grenade underneath the armor while the creed of the regiment is inscribed to the left and right of the hexagon.

Regimental Song
Chant de Marche : Sapeurs, mineurs et bâtisseurs 1er couplet

Sixième étranger d’infanterie. Nous sommes tous les héritiers. Syrie, Liban et Tunisie Partout les combats sans pitié Par le sang versé Rendirent gloire. Au vieux régiment du levant. De nos anciens chantons la gloire Et reprenons d’un même élan.

Refrain Sapeurs, mineurs et bâtisseurs À l’assaut légionnaire du Six Et de la force des vainqueurs Portons très haut notre devise Parfois détruire. Souvent construire. Toujours servir avec Honneur et Fidélité.

2e couplet

Sixième étranger de génie Légion, Dans les combats les plus violents, En première ligne nous serons mis, Comme les Pionniers en défilant. Et pour la gloire de la Légion Nous remplirons avec ardeur, Dans le respect des traditions

Notre mission de constructeurs.

Decorations



 * La Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures with 1 palm, the regiment for engagement in Kuwait in Opération Daguet, 1990.

Battle Honors

 * Camerone 1863
 * Musseifre 1925
 * Syrie 1925-1926
 * Koweït 1990–1991

Regimental Commanders

 * 1984 - 1985 : Colonel Degre
 * 1985 - 1987 : Colonel Boileau
 * 1987 - 1989 : Colonel Martial
 * 1989 - 1991 : Colonel Manet
 * 1991 - 1993 : Colonel Petersheim
 * 1993 - 1995 : Colonel Danigo
 * 1995 - 1997 : Colonel Hourbon
 * 1997 - 1999 : Colonel Ganascia