On 10 November 2021, the French Air Force (L’armée de l’Air et de l’Espace) presented an overview of its capabilities and missions to the auditors of the Institut des Hautes Etudes de Défense Nationale (Institute for Higher National Defense Studies, IHEDN) and the Ecole de Guerre (War College, EDG) , at the Base Aérienne 105 Evreux “Commandant Viot” air base. During the day, officers from France and from countries all over the world could be seen walking along the various stands and aircraft. The Institut des Hautes Etudes de Défense Nationale (IHEDN) is a French public academic institution for research, education and promotion of expertise and sensitisation towards defence matters. The aim of the Institute is to train high-level military, government officials and high-ranking executives in defence matters. The Ecole de Guerre (EDG) is a French military academy that trains senior officers to become as high-ranking senior officers. As a part of the event, various presentations were made and these demonstrations illustrated the capabilities of the French Air Force, guaranteeing air superiority, while staying ahead and cultivating the moral strength of airmen.
Static presentation
On a static display, the French Air Force showcased its following aircraft:
1 Airbus A330 MRTT “Phenix’’
1 Airbus A400M “Atlas’’
1 Lockheed Martin C-130J “Hercules”
2 Dassault Rafale
1 Pilatus PC21
1 Beechcraft King Air 350
1 Eurocopter EC725 “Caracal”
Close to the aircraft and helicopter, the crew was gathered to answer questions from the participants. On another platform, ground-based units of the French Armed Forces like the Ground-to-Air Defence units demonstrated their capabilitiesOn a static display, the French Air Force showcased its following aircraft: 1 Airbus A330 MRTT “Phenix’’ 1 Airbus A400M “Atlas’’ 1 Lockheed Martin C-130J “Hercules” 2 Dassault Rafale 1 Pilatus PC21 1 Beechcraft King Air 350 1 Eurocopter EC725 “Caracal” Close to the aircraft and helicopter, the crew was gathered to answer questions from the participants. On another platform, ground-based units of the French Armed Forces like the Ground-to-Air Defence units demonstrated their capabilities.
Dynamic presentation
The dynamic presentation was performed by selected aircraft from the static display:
1 Airbus A330 MRTT ‘’Phenix’’
1 Airbus A400M “Atlas’’
1 Lockheed Martin KC-130J “Hercules”
1 Pilatus PC21
2 Dassault Rafale, flying from another location of the airbase
1 German Air Force C-160 Transall, flying from another location of the airbase
During the dynamic presentation, two Rafale aircraft and the PC21 took off and later the PC21 was intercepted during a ‘slow-mover interception’ whereby the PC21 was forced to land afterwards. Then the A400M flew by and dropped a number of paratroopers, followed by the landing of the KC-130J. After landing, soldiers deboarded from the C-130 via open ramp to take up defensive positions. Finally, the old and venerable C-160 landed at the airbase.
C-130J
For the first time the recently established Franco-German tactical transport squadron demonstrated its new Lockheed Martin C-130J “Hercules” aircraft. After the formal decision to establish a mixed tactical transport squadron in 2017, work started atthe BA Evreux to create a huge new apron with large hangars to locate the future aircraft. And for this very purpose, orders were placed at Lockheed Martin. The mixed squadron will receive 10 aircraft: two French C-130J, two French KC-130J and six German C-130J. All French C-130Js have been delivered and the first German is expected to arrive around February 2022 in France. Full operational status is expected to achieve around 2024 and by then, the final C-130J should have been delivered. The pilots of the two nations will then train in mixed teams “without distinction of nationality”.
Text and Photos: Alex van Noye & Joris van Boven