The nuclear threats, radiological, organic and chemical (NRBC) have diversified and amplified throughout and even after the cold war. Following the signing of the biological weapons ban convention in 1972, some political regimes have nonetheless continued their research in order to develop them.
The story of 2e RD
the 2nd regiment of dragons or 2e RD is the most old French cavalry regiments still active. Its formation dates from 1556, due to the existence of a cavalry company within the House of Condé. It is on January 1, 1791 that this company will officially become the 2e RD. It is the only standard of the French army to be decorated with the escapees medal, to have been cited twice at order of the army during the First World War and also has twelve names of battles inscribed in its history.
Until 2005, the 2e RD was a tank regiment within the armored brigade. It is on July 1, 2005 that it will merge with the nuclear, biological and chemical defense group and will become the 2nd dragon regiment also called: CBRN specialized unit.
Missions
The 2nd RD is l’unique Army regiment capable of dealing with CBRN threats. It can intervene in support of the land forces engaged in an external operation or for the benefit of the national territory in reinforcement of the means of the civil security.
The 2nd Dragon Regiment intervenes in several types of missions :
– The fight against proliferation of weapons of mass destruction ;
– The protection civilian populations, including on the National territory ;
– Participate in the missions of security in metropolitan France and overseas ;
– Support the armed forces against NRBC threats and risks.
The 2nd dragon regiment is located in Maine et Loire on the Fontevraud military camp between Angers, Tours and Poitiers. It is located in the heart of the Loire Valley, 15 km from Saumur.
In this period of health crisis, it is an essential unit in the fight against the epidemic. A high level of preparation as well as operational experience in 2015 on the mission TAMARIN, with the crisis of Ebola virus in Guinea Conakry, allowed the regiment to specialize in order to face this new enemy. It disinfects the equipment and infrastructure necessary to maintain the operational capacities of the Army.
As part of the operation RESILIENCE 2020, the 2e RD put its expertise to work during the experimentation and certification phases and made it possible to develop the use of helicopters capable of accommodating two patients suffering from the coronavirus for medical evacuations (EVASAN). These vehicles were fitted with protective bubbles inside the hold to protect the crew and make the aircraft reusable. The 2e RD also intervened within the framework of the decontamination of the premises of the Parliament. The disinfection methods and the use of the products have remained unchanged but the practices have been refined to apply to offices or homes.
