The 13th DBLE of Larzac trains in Spain, a “privileged terrain for action in desert areas”

Les militaires du Larzac sur les terrains arides de l'Andalousie. @13e DBLE

En fin d'année, les militaires de la Légion ont réalisé des exercices en Espagne. 

Two sections of the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade (DBLE), based on Larzac, recently went to Spain, to Almeria in Andalusia more precisely, in order to participate in various exercises alongside their Spanish counterparts. It has been several years since the two countries established a partnership to discuss their respective procedures in various situations.

"Andalusia is ideal terrain for preparing for action in the desert zone. Very arid and hilly, the terrain allows the tactical leader to work visually, the map not allowing sufficient detail to be represented. But this is not the only difficulty, the Viator camp (Almeria) has no less than 5 training devices for action in an urban area, including a reproduction of a village particularly realistic African. A 180-degree shooting complex nicknamed « the pit » allows you to practice live fire by making angle openings, explain the Aveyron soldiers.

The soldiers of Larzac on the arid lands of Andalusia. @13th DBLE

An &excellent experience» before Djibouti

Who for several days had a busy schedule: work on combat in urban areas and in the trenches, 72-hour tactical phase implemented, live fire reproducing combat, use of drone widely developed by the Spanish Legion in order to provide real-time information to the contact team, initiation to survival for 24 hours… and of course numerous exchanges and friendly moments in the Andalusian camp.

"It was an excellent experience for both sections present. The exchanges with the Spanish legionnaires were numerous and enriching, the welcome was particularly attentive. Finally, this exercise was a valuable additional training which will be very useful for the future projection of the company in Djibouti in early 2024, welcomes the 13th DBLE.