6th Light Armoured Brigade (France)

The 6th Light Armoured Brigade (French: 6^e Brigade Légère Blindée, 6^e BLB) one of the eight inter-arm brigades which are at the disposition of the Commandement de la force d'action terrestre. The brigade is very similar to the constitution, material, and operation of the 9th Marine Infantry Brigade (9^e BIMa). The headquarters of the brigade is situated in Nîmes. The brigade is capable of deploying to any exterior theatre of operation while delivering fire power, agility, and mobility.

History

The 31st Brigade took part in peacekeeping combat operations in Lebanon in 1983 within the ranks of the Multinational Force in Lebanon. The Brigade was considered an inter-arm French Foreign Legion and French Army brigade, dominated by the legion and commanded by the Foreign Legion Groupment. The brigade was then dissolved in 1984 and replaced with the 6th Light Armoured Division (French: 6^e Division Légère Blindée, 6^e D.L.B) which partook in the Gulf War engaged as Division Daguet during Opération Daguet. Following the reforms of the French Army in 1999, the division was renamed the 6th Light Armoured Brigade (French: 6^e Brigade Légère Blindée, 6^e B.L.B).

Organization in 1984

In 1984, the unit was named 6th Light Armoured Division and was part of the Rapid Reaction Force. The division then was formed of 7 regiments, 5 professionals out which 3 are part of the French Foreign Legion:

• 21st Marine Infantry Regiment, 21^e RIMa
• 68th Artillery Regiment, 68^e RA
• 6th Command and Support Regiment, 6^e RCS
• 1st Spahi Regiment, 1^er RS
• 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment, 1^er REC
• 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment, 2^e REI
• 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment, 6^e REG

Organization in 2007

Strong with the French Foreign Legion, of 6000 service personnel with 2100 wheeled vehicles, this brigade is composed of the following 6 regiments and one transmission company:

• 21st Marine Infantry Regiment, 21^e RIMa
• 3rd Marine Artillery Regiment, 3^e RAMa
• 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment, 2^e REI
• 1st Spahi Regiment, 1^er RS
• 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment, 1^er REC
• 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment, 1^er REG
• 6th Command and Support Regiment, 6^e RCS

Organization in 2009

Strong with 6000 service personnel and legionnaires, the brigade is composed of:^[1]

• General H.Q. in Nîmes
• 6th Command and Support Regiment, 6^e RCS
• 21st Marine Infantry Regiment, 21^e RIMa
• 3rd Marine Artillery Regiment, 3^e RAMa
• 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment, 2^e REI
• 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment, 1^er REC
• 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment, 1^er REG

Organization in 2016

Mostly manned with troops from the French Foreign Legion, the brigade is composed of:

• General H.Q. in Nîmes
• 6^e Compagnie de Commandement et de Transmissions (6^e CCT) - Command and Signals Company in Nîmes with VAB
• 1^er Régiment de Spahis – Cavalry Regiment in Valence with AMX 10 RC and ERC 90
• 1^er Régiment Etranger de Cavalerie (1^er REC) Foreign Legion - Cavalry Regiment in Orange with AMX 10 RC and ERC 90
• 2^e Régiment Etranger d'Infanterie (2^e REI) - Foreign Legion Infantry Regiment in Nîmes with VBCI
• 13^e Demi Brigade de Légion Etrangère (13^e DBLE) - Foreign Legion regiment in with VAB
• 21^e Régiment d'Infanterie de Marine (21^e RIMa) - Marine Infantry Regiment in Fréjus with VAB
• 3^e Régiment d'Artillerie de Marine (3^e RAMa) - Marine Artillery Regiment in Canjuers with TRF1 howitzers, CAESAR self-propelled howitzers and RTF1 mortars
• 1^er Régiment Étranger de Génie (1^er REG) - Foreign Legion Engineer Regiment in Laudun

Brigade Commanders

31st Brigade (1981-1984)

• 1981–1984: Général Jean-Claude Coullon

6th Light Armoured Division (1990-1991)

• 1990-1991: Général Jean-Charles Mouscardès
• 1991-1991: Général Bernard Janvier

6th Light Armoured Brigade (2002-present)

• 2002–2004: Général Bruno Dary
• 2006–2008: Général Bertrand Clément-Bollée
• 2008–2010: Général Eric Margail
• 2010–2012: Général Antoine Windeck
• 2012–2014: Général Laurent Kolodziej
• 2014–present: Général Pierre Gillet

See also

• French Navy

References

External links

• 6e DLB Official site
• Page de la 6° BLB sur le site du ministère français de la Défense
• servir-et-defendre.com L'ordre de bataille de la force terrestre.(French)

Foreign Legion Command French Foreign Legion
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