Tactics And Training
2e REI: 4th Company in California in 2025
2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment of the French Foreign Legion conducts joint training with U.S. Marines at Twentynine Palms
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Twentynine Palms, California
Between August 2 and 25, 2025, legionnaires from the 4th Company, 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI), 6th Light Armored Brigade, were integrated with U.S. Marines of the 6th Marine Regiment for a three-week training deployment at the Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California. This joint training, known as Exercise ALON 2025, was part of an ongoing effort to enhance interoperability between the French and American military forces. The training included multiple complex environments, such as urban, desert, and mountainous terrains, allowing both forces to develop strategies for a broad spectrum of operational challenges. The exercise began with detailed briefings and strategic planning sessions, followed by live drills in urban combat. These drills focused on the intricacies of close-quarters combat, with both French and American troops engaged in simulated building clearing operations. As the training progressed, more difficult scenarios were introduced, including night infiltration missions where the forces operated under the cover of darkness, simulating real-world combat conditions. The inclusion of Marines from the 2nd ANGLICO (Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company) added a layer of sophistication, integrating artillery and air support into the operations. A key part of the training was the six-day Service Level Training Exercise 4-25 (SLTE 4-25), which took place at the conclusion of the initial exercises. This massive event brought together nearly 5,000 service members for force-on-force combat simulations. These real-time scenarios were designed to replicate modern operational challenges faced in international conflicts. Both the French and U.S. forces worked together to overcome the simulated threats, testing their strategies and the effectiveness of their equipment in various situations. This exercise was a crucial opportunity to strengthen the ties between NATO allies and enhance the practical skills of all participating forces. The training at Twentynine Palms is a reflection of the growing importance of multinational military collaboration, where forces from different nations share operational knowledge and experiences to prepare for future conflicts. These joint exercises not only improve tactical coordination but also foster deeper relationships between countries. The U.S. and French forces, through their shared experience in such environments, have become more adept at responding to the complex threats faced by modern militaries. The successful execution of this exercise demonstrates the importance of coordinated international defense efforts. Exercises like ALON 2025 provide opportunities for nations to test their readiness and capabilities in real-world situations. The integration of technology, strategies, and military assets across different units ensures that both countries forces can respond more effectively to any future security challenge, whether on foreign soil or in joint operations at home. The training session also highlighted the evolving nature of global military dynamics. By integrating forces like the 2e REI alongside U.S. Marines, military leaders are ensuring that future combat scenarios reflect a broader range of environments, tactics, and technology. These exercises contribute to a deeper understanding of how international forces can collaborate to address threats to global security. The partnership between the U.S. and France dates back to 2014, and its continued success is crucial to the NATO alliances effectiveness in the modern world. The final days of Exercise ALON 2025 included real-time simulations, which forced both the French and U.S. forces to adapt quickly and make rapid decisions. While focusing on combat operations, there was also an emphasis on peacekeeping measures, ensuring that troops are prepared not only for combat but also for stabilizing missions that may arise in post-conflict environments. As global politics and security needs shift, this kind of multifaceted preparation is essential.