The atmosphere is heavy at the Oberhoffen-sur-Moder camp, near Haguenau (Bas-Rhin), the day after the death in Mali of the two soldiers of the 2nd Hussar regiment, Sergeant Yvonne Huynh and Brigadier Loïc Risser.
The Brown Berets had already suffered in December 2018 the loss of a chief brigadier in a road accident, on the same field of operation in the Sahel.
"It is never a claim to fame", insists Colonel Maurice Robert de Saint-Victor, corps commander of the regiment.
“Their memory will always remain individualized.
"
Yvonne Huynh and Loïc Risser were respectively 33 and 24 years old.
/ AFP
He reports that the two fallen soldiers were "appreciated people" within this small regiment of 900 men and women, where everyone knows each other because of a permanent mixing of troops in theaters of operations.
On Saturday, the soldiers of the 2nd Hussar regiment lost two "excellent comrades", "a fighter, always smiling, even under the uniform", and a passionate "with the discretion of confidants".
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The soldiers of 2e RH, specialized in intelligence gathering and infiltration, know that foreign operations are dangerous.
“It's our daily life.
These events are the confirmation that our business is exposed to risks.
For the colonel, the tragedy of Saturday does not raise additional apprehension for his troops who have taken turns continuously in Mali since the start of Operation Barkhane, at the rate of four to six month missions.
“It's healthy to have a fair measure of risk in mind.
We live to the rhythm of threats in our areas of intervention.
"
"There will always be a tear that flows"
In Oberhoffen-sur-Moder, "morale remains strong because the mission continues", assures Colonel Robert de Saint-Victor.
But human emotion is inevitable.
"Looking closely, beyond attention, there will always be a small tear that flows", he assures, "because everyone has memories with the two victims".
The spirit of camaraderie within this regiment is all the stronger as the soldiers stay there long after specialized training of eleven months.
This attractive and rewarding regiment promises the recruits stability.
“We know we are going to stay with the same friends and have the time to get to know each other well.
"
The regimental commander does not forget the relatives of the two fallen soldiers.
“These are several families who meet in mourning,” he insists.
“We will support each other and I feel responsible for supporting these families as best as possible.
”“ Beyond the only soldiers, the 2nd regiment of Hussars has 2,000 men and women ”, that is to say nearly 200 families and 400 young children.
This Monday, the 500 active workers present at the camp will gather in front of the colors at the foot of the barracks mast for a first informal tribute.