Military unit
The 6th Light Armoured Brigade (French: 6e Brigade Légère Blindée, 6e BLB) is one of the eight inter-arm brigades which are at the disposition of the Commandement des Forces Terrestres. The headquarters of the brigade is situated in Nîmes.[1] The brigade is capable of deploying to any exterior theatre of operation while delivering fire power, agility, and mobility.[2]
History
The brigade is heir to the 6th Cavalry Division (French: 6e Division de cavalerie) of 1914, the 6th Light Cavalry Division of 1940 (French: 6e Division Légère de Cavalerie), and the 6th Armoured Division, stationed in Compiègne (1951-1957) and then in Strasbourg (1977-1984)
In 1984, the formation was reorganised as the 6th Light Armoured Division (6e DLB) and was part of the Rapid Action Force (1984-1999). The division then was formed of 7 regiments, 5 professionals out which 3 are part of the Foreign Legion:
- 21st Marine Infantry Regiment, 21e RIMa, which had been part of the 31st Brigade (1981-1984)
- 68th Artillery Regiment, 68e RA
- 6th Command and Support Regiment, 6e RCS
- 1st Spahi Regiment, 1er RS
- 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment, 1er REC, attached to the 31st Brigade
- 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment, 2e REI, a regimental component of the 31st Brigade
- 6th Foreign Engineer Regiment, 6e REG
Structure in 2007
Following Army reorganisation in 1999, the division was renamed the 6th Light Armoured Brigade (French: 6e Brigade Légère Blindée, 6e B.L.B). It consists of 6000 service personnel with 2100 wheeled vehicles, and includes 6 regiments and one transmission company:
It includes significant numbers of the Foreign Legion and Troupes de Marine.
Organization in 2009
Strong with 6000 service personnel, legionnaires and Troupes de Marine the brigade is composed of:[3]
Organization in 2016
Mostly manned with troops from the Foreign Legion and Troupes de Marine, the brigade is composed of:
(1984 - 1999)
- 1984 - 1986 : général de division Moreau
- 1986 - 1988 : général de brigade Favreau
- 1988 - 1990 : général de brigade Pincemin
- 1990 - 1991 : général de brigade Mouscardès
- 1991 - 1993 : général de division Bernard Janvier
- 1993 - 1994 : général de division Bâton
- 1994 - 1996 : général de division Rideau
- 1996 - 1999 : général de brigade Schwrdorffer
(1999 - present)
- 1999 - 2000: général de brigade Barro
- 2000 - 2002: général de brigade de Kermabon
- 2002 – 2004: général de brigade Bruno Dary
- 2006 – 2008: général de brigade Bertrand Clément-Bollée
- 2008 – 2010: général de brigade Eric Margail
- 2010 – 2012: général de brigade Antoine Windeck
- 2012 – 2014: général de brigade Laurent Kolodziej
- 2014 – 2016: général de brigade Pierre Gillet
- 2016 - 2017: général de brigade Benoît Durieux
- 2017 - 2019: général de brigade Franck Nicol
- 2019 - 2021: général de brigade Jean-Christophe Bechon
- 2021 - : général de brigade Eric Ozanne
See also
References
- ^ "6e brigade légère blindée". www.defense.gouv.fr. Archived from the original on 16 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ "6th Light Armoured Brigade - Armée de terre". www.defense.gouv.fr. Archived from the original on 16 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ "6e Brigade Légère Blindée". French government. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
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.(in French)