# 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment

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

## Creation and names

The 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment (6$^e$ REG) was created on 1 July 1984 at Laudun (Gard). The regiment was redesignated as the 1st Foreign Engineer Regiment (French: 1$^{er}$ Regiment Etranger de Genie) on 30 June 1999 with the creation of the 2nd Foreign Engineer Regiment 2$^e$ REG. At creation, the 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment (6$^e$ 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 ( French: Détachement d'Intervention Nautique Operationnelle Subaquatique ) specialized in Parachute, Underwater Demolition and Diving.

## History -- garrison, campaigns and battles

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

## Traditions

The 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment (6$^e$ REG) inherits the traditions and battle honors of the 6th Foreign Infantry Regiment.

### Insignias

* Insignia of the Pionniers of the 1st Foreign Regiment.
* Insignia Type 1 of the 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment
The insignia symbolizes the 6th Foreign Infantry Regiment in the form of a hexagon, the three Roman columns of the temple of Jupiter at Baalbek to the left of the insignia and the symbols of the French Foreign Legion: red and green colors with a grenade with seven flames in its 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 motto 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.
* Croix de guerre des théâtres d'opérations extérieures

### Battle Honors

* Camerone 1863
* Musseifre 1925
* Syria 1925-1926
* Kuwait 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