U.S. Marine Corps reconnaissance forces and French Foreign Legion units have recently conducted joint amphibious training in Agde, France, highlighting ongoing efforts to deepen interoperability between American and French expeditionary forces. According to official Marine Corps imagery and reporting, Marines from 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company—including Sgt. Garrett Weimer and Staff Sgt. Barney South—trained alongside French Foreign Legionnaires during an April 6, 2026, exercise that focused on swim-based infiltration from vessel to shore and back in coastal waters. The evolution of these exercises reflects a shared emphasis on maritime reconnaissance, stealth movement, and the ability to operate in littoral environments where small-unit action and rapid insertion are critical.
The French Foreign Legion, an elite formation of the French Army, regularly partners with U.S. Marine units during multinational exercises designed to build combined readiness and tactical cohesion. French Foreign Legionnaires and Marines are increasingly trained in amphibious infiltration techniques, including long-distance combat swimming, beach reconnaissance, and covert shoreline approaches that simulate real-world contested landings. These joint drills in southern France underscore a broader strategic alignment between the two forces: refining expeditionary warfare skills, strengthening unit-level trust, and ensuring that allied reconnaissance elements can operate seamlessly together in future crises requiring rapid amphibious response.