NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Aviation Militaire

The French Air Force, officially the Armée de l'Air (Army of the Air), is the air force branch of the French Armed Forces. Formed in 1909, it is the oldest air force in the world. Image File history File links This work is copyrighted. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1909: Events February February 23 - John McCurdy makes the first aeroplane flight in Canada in the Silver Dart May May 14 - Samuel Cody makes the first aeroplane flight in the UK longer than 1 mile (1. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1933: Events January January 16 - Jean Mermoz and crew make a non-stop flight from Senegal to Brazil in 17 hours 27 minutes. ... Categories: French government | Stub ... Image File history File links French-roundel. ... The Military of France has a long history of serving its country. ... Year 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

General description

The organization of the French Air Force is based on having complete control of air operations and on flexibility in execution. This makes it possible to optimise reaction for peacetime and wartime. The Military of France has a long history of serving its country. ... Image File history File links France_coa. ... The French Army, officially the ArmÃ©e de Terre (Army of the land), is the land-based component of the French Armed Forces and the largest. ... The French Navy, officially called the National Navy (French: Marine Nationale) is the maritime arm of the French military. ... Gendarmes Gendarmes guarding the Paris Hall of Justice Gendarmerie motorcyclists police the roads and autoroutes of rural France. ... Image File history File links Auteur: Cornelis File links The following pages link to this file: Ranks in the French Army ... The ranks in the French Army : // The title of MarÃ©chal de France is awarded as a distinction, rather than a rank. ... The rank insignia of the French Navy are worn on epaulettes of shirts and white jackets, and on sleeves for navy jackets and mantels. ... Image File history File links Armoiries_France_Ancien. ... Henry IV at the Battle of Ivry, by Peter Paul Rubens. ... Image File history File links Grenadier_Pied_1_1812_Revers. ... La Grande ArmÃ©e (French for the Great Army or the Grand Army) first entered the annals of history when, in 1805, Napoleon I renamed the army that he had assembled on the French coast of the English Channel for the proposed invasion of Britain and re-deployed it East...

First level: the central level of command

As the chief of the Armed Forces, the President of France makes defense policy. The Prime Minister is responsible for national defense. The Minister for Defense is responsible for the execution of military policy. He is advised by the Head of Staff of Armies (CEMA) with regard to the use of forces and the control of military operations. The Head Of Staff of the Air Force (CEMAA) determines doctrine for the Air Force and advises the CEMA on how to use French aerial forces. He is also responsible for the preparation and support of the Air Force. The CEMAA is assisted by the staff of the Air Force (EMAA), directed by the general major general (GMG), and by the services of the police headquarters, responsible for military staff management of the Air Force (DPMAA), service of the police station of the air, service of the material of the Air Force, service of the infrastructure of the air, and the integrated structure of maintenance in operational condition of the aeronautical materials of Defense (SIMMAD). Finally, the CEMAA is assisted by two inspections: the inspection of the Air Force (IAA) and the inspection of the health services of the Air Force (ISSAA).

Second level: Main commands

The French Air Force is founded on the principle of separation of responsibilities between two main types of commands: operational commands (responsible for force projection) and organic commands (in charge of conditioning and logistical support). A command in military organization is a collection of units or a group of personnel under the control of a single officer. ...

Third level: air bases

The air base is the essential combat tool of the Air Force, whose operational activity never ceases.

The commander of an air base has authority over all units stationed on the base, approximately 600 to 3,500 people. He supervises their conditioning and the execution of orders. Flying activity in France is carried out by a network of bases, platforms and radars of air defense. It is supported by a dozen bases, which are supervised and maintained by staff, centers of operations, warehouses, workshops, and schools.

The bases are organized for flexibility and rapid response. Both in France and abroad, bases have similar infrastructure to provide standardized support. Naval units are spread to give themselves certainty that, on all air bases, they will find the necessary means to execute their missions. This operational mode allows for fast and easy creation of air bases outside of France.

Overseas, a collection of fighters, transport aircraft, and helicopters allow for quick responses to any request for assistance that falls within international agreements. It also ensures the defense of French interests. On average, a base platform, made up of about 2,200 men and women (or nearly 5,500 people including family members), provides an economic boost of about 60 million euros per annum. Consequently, determining the sites for air bases constitutes a major part of regional planning.

History

Many consider the Armée de l'Air to have been the first professional air force in the world. The French took active interest in developing their air force from 1909 and had the first fighter pilots of World War I. During the interwar years, however, particularly in the 1930s, the quality fell when compared with the Luftwaffe, which crushed both the French and British air forces during the Battle of France. The familiar French military aviation roundel gave rise to similar roundels for air forces all over the world, including that of the United Kingdom (RAF), which reversed the colors on the French roundel. ... Free French Air Forces Logo The Free French Air Force (French: ) were the air arm of Free French Forces during the Second World War. ... Image File history File links French-roundel. ... Image File history File links French-roundel. ... The modern proportion RAF roundel A roundel in heraldry is any circular shape; in military use it is an emblem of nationality employed on military aircraft and air force flags, generally round and consisting of concentric rings of different colors. ... Ypres, 1917, in the vicinity of the Battle of Passchendaele. ... The Tricolore cockade of France. ... The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of World War I. // Formed by Royal Warrant on 13 May 1912, the RFC superseded the Air Battalion of the Royal Engineers. ... A stylized version of the Iron Cross, the emblem of the Bundeswehr, Germanys Armed Forces. ... An air force, in some countries called an air army, is a military or armed service that primarily conducts aerial warfare. ... Year 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Europe between 1929 and 1938. ... The German Luftwaffe was one of the most powerful, doctrinally advanced, and battle-experienced air forces in the world when World War II started in Europe in September 1939. ...

In the post–World War II era, the French made a concerted and successful effort to develop a homegrown aircraft industry. Dassault Aviation led the way forward with their unique and effective delta-wing designs, which formed the basis for the famous Mirage series of jet fighters. The Mirage repeatedly demonstrated its deadly abilities in the Six-Day War and the Gulf War, becoming one of the most popular and well-sold aircraft in the history of military aviation along the way. Currently, the French Air Force is expanding and replacing. The French are awaiting the A400M military transport aircraft, which is still in developmental stages, and the integration of the new Rafale multi-role jet fighter, whose first squadron of 20 aircraft became operational in 2006 at Saint-Dizier. Dassault Aviation is a French aircraft manufacturer of military, regional and business jets. ... The delta-wing is a wing planform in the form of a triangle, named after the Greek uppercase delta (letter) which is a triangle (Î”). Its use in the so called tailless delta, i. ... The Dassault Mirage III is a supersonic fighter aircraft designed in France by Dassault Aviation during the 1950s, and manufactured both in France and a number of other countries. ... An A-10 Thunderbolt II, F-86 Sabre, P-38 Lightning and P-51 Mustang fly in formation during an air show at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. ... Combatants Israel Egypt Syria Jordan Iraq Saudi Arabia Commanders Yitzhak Rabin, Moshe Dayan, Uzi Narkiss, Israel Tal, Mordechai Hod, Ariel Sharon Abdel Hakim Amer, Abdul Munim Riad, Zaid ibn Shaker, Hafez al-Assad Strength 264,000 (incl. ... Combatants United States Saudi Arabia Egypt United Kingdom & US-led Coalition Republic of Iraq Commanders Norman Schwarzkopf Khalid bin Sultan Saddam Hussein Strength 883,863 360,000 Casualties 240 killed in action, 776 wounded, 30 taken prisoner At least 183,000 victims of the Gulf War syndrome Est. ... The Airbus A400M is a four-engine turboprop aircraft, designed by Airbus Military to meet the demand of European nations for military airlift. ... The Rafale is a French twin-engine delta-wing multirole fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. ... Saint-Dizier is a city in the Haute-Marne dÃ©partement in the Champagne-Ardenne Region of France. ...

Aircraft inventory

The French Air Force operates a wide-ranging fleet of aircraft, everything from fighters to transport aircraft and passenger transports to helicopters. It currently maintains some 560 aircraft. 150 comprise the air mobility force (CFAP) and include aircraft such as the C-160 and the C-130 Hercules. The CFAP also includes 80 helicopters like the Super Puma and the Ecureuil. 330 fighter aircraft are incorporated into 19 squadrons charged with different missions. Finally, the French Air Force has a fleet of aircraft, including Alpha Jet, Xingu, Epsilon, and Tucano, to meet training requirements. These air assets are supported by ground units and a sophisticated infrastructure.^[1] The Transall C-160 is a military transport aircraft developed by a consortium of French and German aircraft manufacturers for the air forces of those two nations and that of South Africa. ... The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop cargo aircraft and the main tactical airlifter for many military forces worldwide. ... Eurocopter AS 332 Super Puma (Defense Minister of France) at Paris Air Show 2007 The Eurocopter Super Puma (originally built by AÃ©rospatiale) is a helicopter marketed for civil and military use. ... The Eurocopter Ecureuil (Squirrel) is a single-engine helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter. ... The Alpha Jet is a light attack and advanced trainer aircraft manufactured by Germany and France. ... The Short Tucano is a basic two seat turboprop trainer used by the RAF. It is an adaptation of the EMBRAER Tucano, the principle alteration being the use of a Garrett turboprop powerplant over the standard Pratt & Whitney engine. ...

The "Future French Forces 2015" concept allows for 300 front-line fighters, mainly composed of the new generation fighter, the Rafale. The logo of the Dassault Rafale program. ...

The Aerospatiale Puma is a medium-sized twin-engined transport/utility helicopter originally manufactured by Aerospatiale of France. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Airbus A310 is a medium to long-range widebody airliner manufactured by Airbus S.A.S. It was Airbus second model to be introduced, and is a shortened derivative of the A300. ... Image File history File links European_flag. ... The Airbus A320 is a short to medium range commercial passenger aircraft manufactured by Airbus. ... Image File history File links European_flag. ... The Airbus A340 is a long-range four-engined widebody commercial passenger airliner manufactured by Airbus S.A.S. a subsidiary of EADS. It is similar in design to the twin-engined A330. ... Image File history File links European_flag. ... The C-135 Stratolifter is a transport aircraft derived from Boeing’s prototype 707 jet airliner in the early 1950s. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... CASA CN-235M-100 of the Spanish Air Force The CN-235 is a medium-range twin-turbo-prop aircraft developed jointly between CASA in Spain and IPTN in Indonesia as a regional airliner and military transport. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Spain. ... The Dassault Falcon 50 is a mid-sized, long-range corporate jet, unique in the corporate jet world for its three jet engine layout. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Dassault Falcon 900 takes off. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Mirage 2000 is a French-built multirole fighter jet manufactured by Dassault Aviation. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Dassault Mirage F1 is a single-seat air-superiority fighter and attack aircraft built by Dassault Aviation of France. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The logo of the Dassault Rafale program. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Alpha Jet owned by Red Bull The Alpha Jet is a light attack and advanced trainer aircraft manufactured by Dornier of Germany and Dassault-Breguet of France. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The DHC-6 Twin Otter is a 20-passenger STOL feederliner and utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Embraer EMB121 Xingu The Embraer EMB 121 Xingu is a twin-turboprop fixed-wing aircraft built by the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, Embraer. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Brazil. ... Embraer 312 Tucano The Embraer EMB 312 Tucano is a basic two seat turboprop trainer developed in Brazil. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Brazil. ... AS 532 Cougar The Eurocopter Cougar is a twin-engined, medium-weight, multipurpose helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Eurocopter Ecureuil (Squirrel) is a single-engine helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter. ... Image File history File links European_flag. ... The Fennec is a single-engined, light-weight, multipurpose helicopter manufactured by Eurocopter. ... Image File history File links European_flag. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Germany. ... 1965 Jodel D140C Mousquetaire (G-REES) Jodel is a range of light aeroplanes designed by Frenchmen Eduard Joly and his son-in-law Jean Delemontez shortly after the Second World War. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Lockheed C-130 Hercules, a four-engine turboprop aircraft, is the main tactical air transport aircraft of the United States and UK military forces. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Socata TB-9 Tampico Socata TB-10 Tobago GT owned by Martinair vliegschool (flying school) Socata TB-200 Tobago XL Socata TB-20 Trinidad GT The Socata TB aircraft series are light single engine piston aircraft manufactured by Socata and designed in the late 1970s. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Socata TBM 700 The Socata TBM 700 and TBM 850 are high performance single engine turboprop light business and utility aircraft manufactured by EADS Socata. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Transall C-160 is a military transport aircraft developed by a consortium of French and German aircraft manufacturers for the air forces of those two nations and that of South Africa. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ...

Bases

BA101 Toulouse-Francazal
BA102 Dijon-Longvic
BA103 Cambrai-Epinoy
BA104 Le Bourget
BA105 Évreux-Fauville
BA106 Bordeaux-Mérignac
BA107 Vélizy-Villacoublay
BA110 Creil
BA112 Reims-Champagne
BA113 St Dizier-Robinson
BA114 Aix-Les-Milles
BA115 Orange-Caritat
BA116 Luxeuil-St Sauveur
BA117 Paris
BA118 Mont-de-Marsan
BA120 Cazaux
BA123 Orléans-Bricy
BA124 Strasbourg-Entzheim
BA125 Istres-Le Tubé
BA126 Solenzara
BA128 Metz-Frescaty

BA132 Colmar-Meyenheim
BA133 Nancy-Ochey
BA188 Djibouti-Ambouli
BA190 Tahiti-Faaa (French Polynesia)
BA200 Apt-St Christol
BA203 Bordeaux-Cenon
BA217 Brétigny sur Orge (CEV)
BA273 Romorantin-Pruniers
BA274 Limoges
BA277 Varennes sur Allier
BA278 Ambérieu-en-Bugey
BA279 Châteaudun
BA551 Toul-Thouvenot
BA552 Compiègne
BA701 Salon-de-Provence
BA702 Avord
BA705 Tours-St Symphorien
BA709 Cognac-Châteaubernard
BA721 Rochefort-St Agnant
BA722 Saintes-Thénac
BA725 Chambéry-Les bains

BA749 Grenoble
BA901 Drachenbronn
BA902 Contrexeville
BA921 Taverny
BA922 Doullens
BA942 Lyon-Mont Verdun
BA943 Nice-Mont Agel
DA115 Narbonne
DA136 Toul-Rosières
DA160 Dakar-Yof (Sénégal)
DA279 Chartres
Cayenne-Rochambeau (French Guyana)
CEV Melun-Villaroche
BA365 Lamentin (Martinique)
Roissy-Charles de Gaulle
St Denis (Réunion)

List of French Air Force bases. ... BA 105 Evreux-Fauville: in-flight refueling of Transall C 160 by Transall C 160 Evreux-Fauville Air Base (Base aÃ©rienne 105 Ã‰vreux or BA 105) (IATA: EVX, ICAO: LFOE) is a French Air Force base located east of the town of Ã‰vreux in the Eure dÃ©partement. ... BA 105 Evreux-Fauville: in-flight refueling of Transall C 160 by Transall C 160 Evreux-Fauville Air Base (Base aÃ©rienne 105 Ã‰vreux or BA 105) (IATA: EVX, ICAO: LFOE) is a French Air Force base located east of the town of Ã‰vreux in the Eure dÃ©partement. ... Orange Caritat (French: or BA 115) (IATA: XOG, ICAO: LFMO) is a tiny French Air Force base equipped with one runway and named after Capitaine de Seyne. ... Orange Caritat (French: or BA 115) (IATA: XOG, ICAO: LFMO) is a tiny French Air Force base equipped with one runway and named after Capitaine de Seyne. ... Luxeuil Air Base (French: or BA 116) (ICAO: LFSX) is a medium size air base located at , near Luxeuil-les-Bains in the Franche-ComtÃ© region of France. ... Luxeuil Air Base (French: or BA 116) (ICAO: LFSX) is a medium size air base located at , near Luxeuil-les-Bains in the Franche-ComtÃ© region of France. ... Istres, sixth-largest town of Bouches-du-RhÃ´ne. ... Istres Air Base (Base aérienne dIstres, Base aérienne 125, BA 125) is a large base of the French Air Force, located near Istres, north of Marseille, in Bouches-du-Rhône, France. ... Salon-de-Provence Air Base (Base aÃ©rienne de Salon-de-Provence) or BA 701 is a base of the French Air Force located near Salon-de-Provence in southern France. ... Salon-de-Provence Air Base (Base aÃ©rienne de Salon-de-Provence) or BA 701 is a base of the French Air Force located near Salon-de-Provence in southern France. ... Avord Air Base, or BA 702, named after Captain Georges Madon, is a base of the French Air Force located near Avord at in central France. ... Avord Air Base, or BA 702, named after Captain Georges Madon, is a base of the French Air Force located near Avord at in central France. ... The Republic of Senegal is a country south of the Senegal River in West Africa. ... French Guiana (French: Guyane) is an overseas département (département doutre-mer, or DOM) of France, located on the Caribbean coast of South America. ...

Units

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (950x631, 117 KB)A ceremony for the 10th year of French Air Force CASSIC on BA702, including an AWACS aircraft source Copyright French Ministry of Defense This work is copyrighted. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (950x631, 117 KB)A ceremony for the 10th year of French Air Force CASSIC on BA702, including an AWACS aircraft source Copyright French Ministry of Defense This work is copyrighted. ...

Surveillance and Communications Command (CASSIC)

The surveillance and communications command is charged with detection and communication.

Strategic air command (CFAS)

A Mirage 2000 of the Indian Air Force The Mirage 2000 is a French-built multi-role fighter manufactured by Dassault Aviation. ... The mushroom cloud of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan, in 1945 lifted nuclear fallout some 18 km (60,000 feet) above the epicenter. ... The Air-Sol Moyenne PortÃ©e (abbreviated ASMP) is a French air-launched missile with a nuclear warhead. ...

Tactical air command

The Normandie-Niemen squadron (ÐÐ¾Ñ€Ð¼Ð°Ð½Ð´Ð¸Ñ-ÐÐµÐ¼Ð°Ð½ in Russian) is a fighter squadron of the French Air Force. ...

References

Aviation Week & Space Technology (often abbreviated as Aviation Week or AW&ST) is a weekly magazine. ... January 15 is the 15th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

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