Page 110 - The Royal Lancers Chapka 2018

108 REGIMENTAL JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL LANCERS (QUEEN ELIZABETHS’ OWN)
2018 at the first Marines: Growing in Power and Operational Projections Abroad
The rhythm has been set since early 2018 for the 1er Régi- ment d’Infanterie de Marine Squadrons. The objective for these Light Cavalry units was to increase their skills in many French training camps, in order to be engaged in operations.
The knowledge and skills of the units have been carefully evalu- ated, mostly during the Combat Training Centre rotation. The exercise aim was to train and evaluate the squadrons in realistic combat conditions, facing an adversary force trained in armored high intensity fighting.
The 1er Régiment d’Infanterie de Marine Porpoises (French marines nickname), their AMX 10 RC tanks and their light ar- moured vehicles maneuvered around a 14,000 hectare training area, in an all arms environment including Infantry, Artillery, Engineers, Logistics et cetera.
Meanwhile, faithful to its marine identity, the 1er Régiment d’Infanterie de Marine has sent one squadron, the “Crocodiles of the 3rd”, to the Régiment d’Infanterie de Marine du Pacifique-
Main armament firing on the AMX 10RC
Polynésie. From March to July 2018, the Squadron has fulfilled sovereignty missions in the French Polynesia’s archipelagos. It has participated to secure Tahiti’s military infrastructures and carried on their operational preparation in an unusual and de- manding environment, whilst maintaining a high readiness to provide urgent help to the population in case of natural disaster.
Three months after their return, it has been time for the 1st Squadron’s “Nomads” to leave the garrison for a four month mission in the 5e Régiment Interarmes d’Outre-Mer, in Djibou- ti, in the heart of the horn of Africa’s rocky landscape.
The sun never sets on the 1st Marine’s engagements.
As 2018 is gone, the regiment’s headquarters and three of its squadrons are about to deploy to the Sahel area. Angoulême’s soldier will now be fighting the jihadists threat in this part of the world within Operation BARKHANE.
L.C & R.C
3 Squadron on exercise with RIMaP-P, Polynésie
VBL on exercise from 5e RIAOM, Djibouti