6th Light Armoured Brigade (France)

6th Light Armoured Brigade
6e Brigade Légère Blindée
Active6th Light Armoured Division
  • 1984 - 1999

6th Light Armoured Brigade

  • 1 July 1999 – present
CountryFrance
BranchFrench Army
TypeLight Armour Brigade
RoleMotorised Infantry
Size~7,500
Part of3rd Division
Garrison/HQNîmes
Nickname(s)Division Daguet
Motto(s)Vite, fort et bien ("Swiftly, Powerfully and Well")
Engagements6th Light Armoured Division

Koweït 1990–1991
6th Light Armoured Brigade

Global War on Terrorism (2001–present)

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:

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:

Division & Brigade Commanders

(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

  1. ^ "6e brigade légère blindée". www.defense.gouv.fr. Archived from the original on 16 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  2. ^ "6th Light Armoured Brigade - Armée de terre". www.defense.gouv.fr. Archived from the original on 16 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  3. ^ "6e Brigade Légère Blindée". French government. Retrieved 17 February 2012.