Air and space warfare branch of France's armed forces
Air and Space Force
|
---|
|
|
Founded
| 2 July 1934
; 89 years ago
(
1934-07-02
)
|
---|
Country
|
France
|
---|
Type
| Air
and
space force
|
---|
Role
| Aerial
and
space warfare
|
---|
Size
| - 40,500 personnel (2021)
- 520 aircraft
- 41 satellites
|
---|
Part of
| French Armed Forces
|
---|
Garrison/HQ
| Hexagone Balard
,
Paris
|
---|
Colours
| Blue, white, red
|
---|
Anniversaries
| 2 July
|
---|
Engagements
|
|
---|
Website
| www
.defense
.gouv
.fr
/air
|
---|
|
Chief of the Armed Forces
| President
Emmanuel Macron
|
---|
Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force
| General d'armee aerienne
Stephane Mille
[
fr
]
|
---|
|
Roundel
| |
---|
Fin flash
| |
---|
|
Electronic
warfare
| E-3 Sentry
|
---|
Fighter
| Rafale
,
Mirage 2000
|
---|
Helicopter
| AS532 Cougar
,
Fennec
,
EC725 Caracal
|
---|
Trainer
| Alpha Jet
,
Pilatus PC-21
,
SOCATA TBM
,
Extra EA-300
|
---|
Transport
| Lockheed C-130
,
Airbus A310
,
Airbus A330
,
Airbus A400M
,
Dassault Falcon 7X
,
Dassault Falcon 900
,
Dassault Falcon 2000
,
Transall C-160
,
Boeing C-135FR
|
---|
Military unit
The
French Air and Space Force
(
French
:
Armee de l'air et de l'espace
,
lit.
'
Army of Air and Space
'
) is the
air
and
space force
of the
French Armed Forces
. Formed in 1909 as the
Service Aeronautique
, a service arm of the
French Army
, it became an independent military branch in 1934 as the French Air Force. On 10 September 2020, it assumed its current name, the French Air and Space Force, to reflect an "evolution of its mission" into the area of
outer space
.
[1]
The number of aircraft in service with the French Air and Space Force varies depending on the source; the
Ministry of Armed Forces
gives a figure of 658 aircraft in 2014.
[2]
[3]
According to 2018 data, this figure includes 210 combat aircraft: 115
Dassault Mirage 2000
and 95
Dassault Rafale
.
[4]
As of 2021,
[update]
the French Air and Space Force employs a total of 40,500 regular personnel, with a
reserve element
of 5,187 in 2014.
[5]
The
Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force
(CEMAAE) is a direct subordinate of the
Chief of the Defence Staff
(CEMA), a high-ranking military officer who in turn answers to the civilian
Minister of the Armed Forces
.
History
[
edit
]
In the beginning
[
edit
]
Establishment of the
Service Aeronautique
[
edit
]
The founding of the
Service Aeronautique
began in 1909, when the French War Minister approved the purchase of a
Wright Biplane
. The following year, another Wright biplane, a
Bleriot
, and two
Farmans
were added to the lone acquisition. On 22 October 1910, General
Pierre Roques
was appointed
Inspector General
of what was becoming referred to as the Cinquieme Arme, or Fifth Service.
[6]
In March 1912, the French parliament enacted legislation to establish the air arm. It was projected to consist of three distinct branches based on aircraft missions?reconnaissance, bombing, or countering other aircraft.
[6]
Inventing the fighter plane
[
edit
]
France
was one of the first states to start building aircraft. At the beginning of
World War I
, France had a total of 148 planes (eight from
French Naval Aviation
(
Aeronautique Navale
)) and 15
airships
.
[7]
In August 1914, as France entered World War I, French airpower consisted of 24 squadrons (
escadrilles
) supporting ground forces, including three squadrons assigned to cavalry units. By 8 October, expansion to 65 squadrons was being planned. By December, the plans called for 70 new squadrons.
[6]
Meanwhile, even as procurement efforts scaled up, inventive airmen were trying to use various light weapons against opposing airplanes.
Roland Garros
invented a crude method of firing a machine gun through the propeller arc by cladding his propeller with metal wedges deflecting any errant bullets. After destroying three German airplanes, Garros came down behind enemy lines on 18 April 1915. His secret weapon was thus exposed, and
Anthony Fokker
came up with the
synchronization gear
that
by July 1, 1915
, turned airplanes into flying gun platforms.
[8]
Founding fighter formations
[
edit
]
On 21 February 1916, the
Verdun Offensive
began. New weapons demand new tactics.
Commandant
Charles de Tricornet de Rose
was the original French pilot, having learned to fly in March 1911. This experienced flier was given a free hand to select pilots and airplanes for a new unit tasked with keeping German observation craft from over the French lines. The
ad hoc
unit commandeered all available
Morane-Saulniers
and
Nieuport 11s
, as well as the 15 best pilots regardless of posting. This
ad hoc
unit patrolling the skies over Verdun was the first French
Groupement de Chasse
. The
Groupement
was successful despite Tricornet's death in a mishap. Under the leadership of new commander Captain Auguste de Reverand, such
flying aces
as
Georges Guynemer
,
Charles Nungesser
, and
Albert Deullin
began their careers.
[9]
Encouraged by the success of their original
Groupement
, the French massed several squadrons for the
Battle of the Somme
. The burgeoning French aircraft inventory afforded the formation of
Groupement de Combat de la Somme
under Captain
Felix Brocard
. The
Groupement
was formed on 1 July 1916 with a posting of four Nieuport squadrons:
Squadron N.3
,
N.26
,
N.73
, and
N.103
. Three other squadrons--
Squadron N.37
,
N.62
, and
N.65
were temporarily attached at various times.
[9]
On 19 October 1916, three fixed
Groupes de Combat
were established, each to consist of four squadron. Numbered
11
,
12
, and
13
, they were only the first three
Groupements
.
[9]
Concentrating airpower
[
edit
]
During March 1917,
Groupe de Combat 14
and
Groupe de Combat 15
were formed. Again, each new
Groupe
was assigned four Nieuport fighter squadrons; again, each was sent to support a different French
field army
.
[9]
On 10 January 1918,
Groupe de Combat 16
was formed from four
SPAD
squadrons. In February, five more
Groupe de Combats
were founded from SPAD squadrons:
Groupes de Combats
number 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21. The various Nieuport models were now being phased out as the new SPADs filled the inventories of the French.
[10]
With the
Groupes
success, the French were encouraged to amass airpower into still larger tactical units. On 4 February 1918,
Escadre de Combat No. 1
was created out of
Groupe de Combat 15
,
Groupe de Combat 18
, and
Groupe de Combat 19
. It was followed by
Escadre de Combat No. 2
, formed on the 27th from
Groupe de Combat 11
,
Groupe de Combat 13
, and
Groupe de Combat 17
. Each
groupe
would be stocked with 72 fighters.
[11]
The
escadres
were not the end of the French accumulation of air power. On 14 May 1918, they were grouped into the
Division Aerienne
. As bombing aircraft were also being concentrated into larger units, the new division would also contain
Escadre de Bombardement No. 12
and
Escadre de Bombardement No. 13
. The bombing units were both equipped with 45
Breguet 14
bombers. The last addition to the new division was five protection squadrons, operating 75
Caudron R.11
gunships to fly escort for the Breguets.
[11]
On 25 June 1918,
Groupe de Combat 22
was founded.
Groupe de Combat 23
followed soon thereafter. A couple of night bombardment
groupes
were also founded.
[12]
Committing the
Division Aerienne
[
edit
]
Then, on 15 July 1918, the Division was committed to the
Second Battle of the Marne
. From then on, whether in whole or in part, the
Division Aerienne
fought until war's end. By the time of the
Battle of Saint-Mihiel
, the French could commit 27 fighter squadrons to the effort, along with reconnaissance and bombing squadrons. The 1,137 airplanes dedicated to the battle were the most numerous used in a World War I battle.
[13]
When the 11 November 1918 armistice came, French air power had expanded to 336 squadrons, 74 of which were SPAD fighter squadrons. France had 3,608 planes in service.
[7]
Confirmed claims of 2,049 destroyed enemy airplanes included 307 that had been brought down within French lines. French airmen had also destroyed 357
observation balloons
.
[13]
However, 5,500
pilots
and
observers
were killed out of the 17,300 engaged in the conflict, amounting to 31%.
[14]
A 1919 newspaper article reported that the French Air Force had suffered losses of 61%.
[15]
Interwar period
[
edit
]
Military aeronautics was established as a "special arm" by the law of 8 December 1922.
[16]
It remained under the auspices of the
French Army
. It was not until 2 July 1934, that the "special arm" became an independent service and was totally independent.
The initial air arm was the cradle of
French military parachuting
, responsible for the first formation of the
Air Infantry Groups
(
Groupements de l'Infanterie de l'Air
) in the 1930s, out of which the Air Parachute Commandos (
commandos parachutistes de l'air
) descended.
The French Air Force maintained a continuous presence across the
French colonial empire
, particularly from the 1920s to 1943.
World War II
[
edit
]
The French Air Force played an important role in WWII, most notably during the
Battle of France
in 1940. The
Vichy French Air Force
had later a significant presence in the
French Levant
.
The engagement of the
Free French Air Forces
from 1940 to 1943, and then the engagement of the aviators of the
French Liberation Army
, were also important episodes in the history of the French Air Force. The sacrifices of
Commandant
Rene Mouchotte
and
Lieutenant
Marcel Beau
illustrated their devotion.
1945?present
[
edit
]
After 1945, France rebuilt its aircraft industry. The French Air Force participated in several
colonial wars
during the Empire such as
French Indochina
after the Second World War. Since 1945, the French Air Force was notably engaged in
Indochina
(1945?1954).
The French Air Force was active in
Algeria
from 1952 until 1962 and
Suez
(1956), later
Mauritania
and
Chad
, the
Persian Gulf
(1990?1991), ex-
Yugoslavia
and more recently in
Afghanistan
,
Mali
and
Iraq
.
From 1964 until 1971 the French Air Force had the unique responsibility for the
French nuclear arm
via
Dassault Mirage IV
or
ballistic missiles
of Air Base 200 Apt-Saint-Christol on the Plateau d'Albion.
Accordingly, from 1962, the French political leadership shifted its military emphasis to
nuclear deterrence
, implementing a complete reorganisation of the Air Force, with the creation of four air regions and seven major specialised commands, among which were the
Strategic Air Forces Command
, COTAM, the Air Command of Aerial Defense Forces (
Commandement Air des Forces de Defense Aerienne
, CAFDA), and the
Force aerienne tactique
(FATac).
[17]
In 1964, the Second Tactical Air Command was created in
Nancy
to take command of air units stationed in France but not assigned to
NATO
. The
Military Air Transport Command
had previously been formed in February 1962 from the
Groupement d'Unites Aeriennes Specialisees
. Also created in 1964 was the
Escadron des
Fusiliers Commandos de l'Air
(EFCA), seemingly grouping all FCA units. The
Dassault Mirage IV
, the principal French strategic bomber, was designed to strike Soviet positions as part of the French
nuclear triad
.
In 1985, the Air Force had four major flying commands, the
Strategic Air Forces Command
, the Tactical Air Forces Command, the
Military Air Transport Command
, and CAFDA (air defence).
[18]
CFAS had two
squadrons
of
S2
and
S-3 IRBMs
at the Plateau d'Albion, six squadrons of
Mirage IV
As (at
Mont de Marsan
, Cazaux, Orange, Istres, St Dizier, and EB 3/94 at
Luxeuil - Saint-Sauveur Air Base
), and three squadrons of
C-135F
, as well as a training/reconnaissance unit, CIFAS 328, at
Bordeaux
. The tactical air command included wings EC 3, EC 4, EC 7, EC 11, EC 13, and ER 33, with a total of 19 squadrons of Mirage III, Jaguars, two squadrons flying the
Mirage 5
F (EC 2/13 and EC 3/13, both at
Colmar
), and a squadron flying the
Mirage F.1
CR. CoTAM counted 28 squadrons, of which ten were fixed-wing transport squadrons, and the remainder helicopter and liaison squadrons, at least five of which were overseas. CAFDA numbered 14 squadrons mostly flying the
Mirage F.1
C. Two other commands had flying units, the
Air Force Training Command
, and the Air Force Transmissions Command, with four squadrons and three trials units.
Dassault Aviation
led the way mainly with
delta-wing
designs, which formed the basis for the
Dassault Mirage III
series of
fighter jets
. The Mirage demonstrated its abilities in the
Six-Day War
,
Yom Kippur War
,
Falklands War
, and
Gulf War
, becoming one of the most popular jet fighters of its day and being widely sold.
In 1994, the
Fusiliers Commandos de l'Air
command was reestablished under a different form.
The French Air Force entered a phase of inventory replacement and expansion. The Air Force ordered the
Airbus A400M
military transport aircraft, then in development. By November 2016, 11 had already been delivered to ET00.061 at Orleans-Bricy, and integration of the new
Dassault Rafale
multi-role jet fighter was underway; the first 20-aircraft squadron became operational in 2006 at
Saint-Dizier
.
In 2009, France rejoined the
NATO Military Command Structure
, having been absent since 1966.
[19]
France was a leading nation, alongside the
United States
,
United Kingdom
and
Italy
in implementing the UN sponsored no-fly zone in Libya (NATO
Operation Unified Protector
), deploying 20 fighter aircraft to Benghazi in defense of rebel-held positions and the civilian population.
[20]
The last remaining squadron of
Dassault Mirage F1s
retired the aircraft in July 2014 and replaced them with
Dassault Rafales
.
On 13 July 2019, President
Emmanuel Macron
announced the creation of a space command, which would come into being within the French Air Force by September 2019, and the transformation of the French Air Force into the French Air and Space Force.
[21]
According to Defense Minister
Florence Parly
, France reserves the right to arm French satellites with
lasers
for defensive purposes.
[22]
The official renaming occurred on 24 July 2020, with the new Air and Space Force logo unveiled on 11 September 2020.
[1]
Structure
[
edit
]
The
Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force
(CEMAAE) determines French Air and Space Force
doctrines
application and advises the
Chief of the Defence Staff
(CEMA) on the deployment, manner, and use of the Air and Space Force. They are responsible for the preparation and logistic support of the French Air and Space Force. The CEMAA is assisted by a Deputy Chief, the
Major General de l'Armee de l'Air
. Finally, the CEMAA is assisted by the Inspectorate of the French Air and Space Force (IAA) and by the French Air and Space Force Health Service Inspection (ISSAA).
The Air and Space Force is organized in accordance with Chapter 4, Title II, Book II of the Third Part of the French Defense Code (
French
:
code de la Defense
), which replaced decree n° 91-672 dated 14 July 1991.
Under the authority of the
Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force
(CEMAAE) in
Paris
, the Air and Space Force includes:
The Air and Space Force headquarters, employing 150 personnel, are located alongside the
Chief of the Defence Staff
's offices (EMA) and the Army and Navy headquarters at the
Balard
armed forces complex in Paris. The new site replaced the former
Paris Air Base
(BA 117) which served as air staff headquarters until 25 June 2015.
Commands
[
edit
]
The French Air and Space Force has had three commands: two grand operational commands (CDAOA and CFAS) and one organic command (CFA).
- Commandement de la Defense Aerienne et des Operations Aeriennes
(English: Air Defense and Air Operations Command (CDAOA)), is responsible for surveillance of French airspace, as well as all aerial operations in progress. It does not possess aircraft. Instead it exercises operational control over units of the
Air Forces Command (
CFA
)
.
[24]
- Air Defence and Air Operations Staff (
French
:
Etat-major de la defense aerienne et des operations aeriennes
) composed of the:
- Air Force Operational Staff (
French
:
Etat-major operationnel Air (EMO-Air)
) and the
- Permanent readiness command center (
French
:
Centre de permanence Air
), both situated at the Balard complex (the French Air and Space Force main HQ)
- direct reporting units:
- Air Force Operations Brigade (
French
:
Brigade aerienne des operations (BAO)
) (all units at BA 942 Lyon-Mont Verdun air base)
- National Air Operations Center (
French
:
Centre national des operations aeriennes (CNOA)
)
- Core Joint Force Air Component HQ (
Core JFAC HQ
)
- Analysis and Simulation Center for Air Operations Preparation (
French
:
Centre d’analyse et de simulation pour la preparation aux operations aeriennes (CASPOA)
)
- Air Force Operational Awareness and Planning Brigade (
French
:
Brigade aerienne connaissance-anticipation (BACA)
)
- Air Force Intelligence Center (
French
:
Centre de renseignement air (CRA)
) at BA 942 Lyon-Mont Verdun air base
- National Target Designation Center (
French
:
Centre national de ciblage (CNC)
) at BA 110 Creil-Senlis air base
- Land-based Electronic Warfare Squadron (
French
:
Escadron electronique sol (EES)
) at BA 123 Orleans-Bricy air base
- Intelligence Training Squadron 20.530 (
French
:
Escadron de formation au renseignement (EFR) 20.530
) (
Metz
), training air and space force and naval officers, integrated in the Joint Intelligence Training Center (
CFIAR
) in
Strasbourg
[25]
- Air Force Brigade for Permanent Aerial Security Readiness (
Brigade aerienne de la posture permanente de la surete aerienne
(
BAPPS
)), based at BA 942 Lyon-Mont Verdun air base, created at the end of 2020 and in charge of air policing
[26]
- detection and control centers:
- Detection and Control Center 07.927 (
French
:
Centre de detection et de controle (CDC)
)
Tours
?
Cinq-Mars-la-Pile
(Codename:
Raki
,
AOR
: Northwestern France)
- Detection and Control Center 04.930 (
French
:
Centre de detection et de controle (CDC)
)
Mont-de-Marsan
(Codename:
Marina
,
AOR
: Southwestern France)
- Detection and Control Center 05.942 (
French
:
Centre de detection et de controle (CDC)
)
Lyon ? Mont Verdun
(Codename:
Rambert
,
AOR
: Southeastern France)
- Strategic Air Forces Command
(CFAS), is responsible for the air force's nuclear strike units (
Dassault Rafale B
armed with
ASMP-A
missiles), as well as the tanker / strategic transport aircraft (
C-135FR
,
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
).
- Command HQ (Commandement des CFAS), based at
Velizy-Villacoublay Air Base
(BA 107)
- 4th Fighter Wing (
4e Escadre de chasse
(
4e EC
)), based at
Saint-Dizier ? Robinson Air Base
(BA 113)
- Wing Command (
Commandement d'escadre 00.113
)
- Fighter Squadron 01.004
"Gascogne"
(
Escadron de chasse 01.004 Gascogne
), tactical nuclear strike fighter squadron, flying
Rafale B
variant
- Fighter Squadron 02.004
"La Fayette"
(
Escadron de Chasse 02.004 La Fayette
), tactical nuclear strike fighter squadron, flying Rafale variant
- Rafale Conversion Squadron 03.004 "Aquitaine" (
Escadron de transformation Rafale 03.004 Aquitaine
), joint air force ? navy OCU flying Rafale B/C/M variants
- Aeronautical Technical Support Squadron 15.004
"Haute-Marne"
(Escadron de soutien technique aeronautique 15.004 Haute-Marne)
- 31st Aerial Refuel and Strategic Transport Wing
(
31e Escadre aerienne de ravitaillement et de transport strategiques
(
31e EARTS
)), based at
Istres-Le Tube Air Base
(BA 125).
- Wing Command (
Commandement d'escadre 00.113
)
- Aerial Refuel and Strategic Transport Squadron 01.031
"Bretagne"
(
Escadron de ravitaillement en vol et de transport strategique 01.031 Bretagne
), flying the
Airbus A330 MRTT
- Operational Conversion Squadron 03.031
"Phenix"
(
Escadron de transformation Phenix 03.031 Landes
), A330MRTT OCU
- Aerial Refuel Squadron 04.031
"Sologne"
(
Escadron de ravitaillement en vol 4/31 Sologne
), winding down operations of the
C-135FR
- Transport Squadron 03.060
"Esterel"
(
Escadron de transport 3/60 Esterel
), presidential air transport with the
Airbus A330
- Aeronautical Technical Support Squadron 15.031
"Camargue"
(
Escadron de soutien technique aeronautique 15.031 Camargue
)
- Specialised Technical Support Squadron 15.093 (
Escadron de soutien technique specialise 15.093
)
- Air Forces Command
(CFA)),
Bordeaux-Merignac Air Base
, as an organic command, prepares units to fulfill operational missions. From September 2013, the former organic commands CFA and CSFA were merged into CFA. CFA is organized in six brigades:
- Fighter Brigade
? (
French
:
Brigade Aerienne de l'Aviation de Chasse
(BAAC)), is responsible for all air defense, air-to-ground and reconnaissance aircraft (including
Dassault Rafale
, Mirage 2000-5F, Mirage 2000B/C/D,
Transall C-160
Gabriel). In February 2016 it was commanded by Brigadier General (Air)
Philippe Lavigne
.
[27]
- Projection and Support Air Force Brigade
(
French
:
Brigade Aerienne d'Appui et de Projection
(BAAP)), is responsible for all tactical transport and liaison aircraft (aircraft and helicopters: Transall,
C-160
, Hercules
C-130
,
A310
/319,
Dassault Falcon 50
/900,
Aerospatiale SA 330 Puma
,
Eurocopter Fennec
,
Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma
,
SOCATA TBM
);
- Airspace Control Brigade
(
French
:
Brigade Aerienne de Controle de l'Espace
(BACE)), is responsible for (
Airborne early warning and control
aircraft, and ground radar, ground-based air defense systems and missile defence, communication networks) airspace surveillance, constituting the
Systeme de Commandement et de Conduite des Operations Aerospatiales
). Since 2007 the command, control and information systems network of the air and space force have been is integrated into the
Joint Directorate of Infrastructure Networks and Information Systems
(DIRISI))
- airborne airspace surveillance units:
- 36th Airborne Command and Control Wing (
36e escadre de commandement et de conduite aeroportes
(
36e EC2A
)), based at
Avord Air Base
(BA 702)
- 36th Airborne Command and Control Squadron
"Berry"
(
36
e
escadron de detection et de controle aeroportes Berry
), flying the
Boeing E-3F Sentry
- ground-based airspace surveillance units:
- GRAVES System
- 3 surveillance and air defence radar installations equipped with the
Ground Master 406
radar: annees 2010 trois Ground Master 406, le premier installe en Guyane, le second sur la base aerienne de Nice en 2017 et le troisieme sur la Base aerienne 942 and at Lyon-Mont Verdun Air Base (BA 942) in 2019.
- 12 surveillance and air defence radar installations equipped with the
Ground Master 403T
radar in metropolitan France, re-equipped in the 2019 ? 2022 period.
- airspace controle of military air bases:
- units for local aerospace surveillance of the immediate environs of air bases (CLA) ;
- approach radars and landing aide systems
- surface-to-air missile
units
(each ADSA squadron is composed of two batteries of SAMP/T and one battery of Crotale NG SAMs)
:
- Air Defence Surface-to-Air Wing ? 1st Air Defence Artillery Regiment (
Escadre sol-air de defense aerienne ? 1er regiment d'artillerie de l'air
), based at
Avord Air Base
(BA 702)
- Air Defence Surface-to-Air Squadron 02.950
"Sancerre"
(
Escadron de defense sol-air 02.950 "Sancerre"
)
- Technical Support Surface-to-Air Squadron (
Escadron de soutien technique sol-air 2E.950
)
- Air Defence Surface-to-Air Training Center (
Centre de formation de la defense sol-air 14.950
)
- Air Defence Surface-to-Air Squadron 01.950
"Crau"
(
Escadron de defense sol-air 01.950 "Crau"
) (Base aerienne 125 Istres-Le Tube)
- Air Defence Surface-to-Air Squadron 05.950
"Barrois"
(
Escadron de defense sol-air 05.950 "Barrois"
) (Base aerienne 113 Saint-Dizier-Robinson)
- Air Defence Surface-to-Air Squadron 12.950
"Tursan"
(
Escadron de defense sol-air 12.950 "Tursan"
) (Base aerienne 118 Mont-de-Marsan)
- surface-to-air signals units in metropolitan France (METEOR system, in process of replacement by the SRSA system)
- Air Force Special Forces Brigade (
Brigade des forces speciales air
(BFSA)). In the 2020 ? 2021 period the French Air and Space Force overhauled the force structure of its security and firefighting and rescue units, which were previously grouped together in the
Air Force Security and Intervention Forces Brigade
(
French
:
Brigade Aerienne des Forces de Securite et d'Intervention
(BAFSI)).
[28]
- aerial units:
- air force commando units:
- Air Force Parachutist Commando 10 (
CPA n°10
) ? the Air Force's primary special operations unit, based at Orleans ? Bricy Air Base
- Air Force Parachutist Commando 30 (
CPA n°30
) ? previously the Air Force's primary combat search and rescue unit, refocused to special operations, based at Orleans ? Bricy Air Base
- force protection units:
- Air Force Parachutist Commando 20 (
CPA n°20
) ? the Air Force's primary security unit. Composed of two operational companies and a reserve platoon for a total of up to 400 personnel:
Compagnie Bretagne
(protection force),
Compagnie Normandie
(protection force) and
Section de reservistes
(protection force reservists and instructors).
- Escadrons de protection (EP).
- specialised training units:
- Air Force Parachute Training Center 51.566 (
C.A.S.V. 51.566 Le Centre Air de Saut en Vol
), based at Orleans ? Bricy Air Base
- Operational Training Center for Air Force [Land] Combatants (
Centre de Preparation Operationnel des Combattants de l'Armee de l'air
(CPOCAA)) ? training unit for the CPA 10 and 30, based at
Orange-Caritat Air Base
- Detachment (
detachement du CPOCAA
), based at Orleans ? Bricy Air Base
- le Centre de formation a la survie et au sauvetage (CFSS) ;Centre de formation a la survie et au sauvetage 61.566 (CFSS). base aerienne 120 de Cazaux.
- Detachment for officer training for land combat (detachement CFA) at the
Ecole de l'air et de l'espace
- Air Force Firefighters Brigade (
Brigade des pompiers de l’air
(BPA)), formed in 2021. It brings together the rescue and firefighting personnel (called
incident technicians
and grouped into
squadrons
of company size) of the Air Force into 25 units of around 1 500 personnel. HQ is in
Cazaux Air Base
(BA 120);
[29]
- Air Force Aerial Weapon Systems Brigade
(
French
:
Brigade Aerienne des Systemes d'Armes Aeriens
(BASAA)) provides the maintenance and repair of aerial weapons and target systems.
- Air Force Maneuver Support Brigade
(
French
:
Brigade Aerienne d'Appui a la Manœuvre Aerienne
(BAAMA)) provides the ground-based engineer and logistics personnel (including expeditionary) needed for the sustainment of air operations.,
[30]
based at
Bordeaux?Merignac Air Base
(BA 106):
- Expeditionary Command and Control Air Force Wing 00.550 (
Escadre aerienne de commandement et de conduite projetable 00.550
(
EAC2P 00.550
)), based at Evreux-Fauville Air Base (BA 105) and formed on August 27, 2015, on the basis of the former
Groupement tactique des systemes d’information et de communication
(
GTSICAero
).
- Wing Command (
Commandement d'escadre 00.550
)
- Tactical Telecommunications Systems Squadron 11.550 (
Escadron des systemes de telecommunication tactiques 11.550
)
- Tactical Surveillance Systems Squadron 12.550 (
Escadron des systemes de surveillance tactiques 12.550
)
- Tactical Information Systems Squadron 13.550 (
Escadron des systemes d’information tactiques 13.550
)
- Tactical Training and Expertise Squadron 14.550 (Escadron d'expertise et d'instruction tactiques 14.550)
- Operational Support Air Force Wing 00.513 (
Escadre aerienne d'appui aux operations 00.513
(
EAAO 00.513
)), based at Bordeaux-Merignac Air Base (BA 106) and formed on November 24, 2021, on the basis of the former
Groupement aerien d’appui aux operations
(
GAAO
).
- Wing Command (
Commandement d'escadre 00.513
)
- Operational Infrastructure Squadron 11.513 (
Escadron d'infrastructure en operations 11.513
)
- Operational Infrastructure Squadron 13.513 (
Escadron d'infrastructure en operations 13.513
)
- Operational Infrastructure Squadron 15.513 (
Escadron d'infrastructure en operations 15.513
)
- Expeditionary Training Squadron 17.513 (
Escadron d'instruction au deploiement 17.513
)
- 25th Air Force Engineer Regiment (
25eme Regiment du Genie de l’Air
), army regiment permanently attached to the air force. Based at
Istres-Le Tube Air Base
(BA 125).
- 2nd Operational Air Force Engineer Company (
2e Compagnie operationnelle du genie de l’air
(
2e COGA
)), based at
Mont-de-Marsan Air Base
(BA 118).
- 4th Operational Air Force Engineer Company (
4e Compagnie operationnelle du genie de l’air
(
4e COGA
)), based at Avord Air Base (BA 702).
- Aeronautical Installations Air Force Groupment (
Groupement aerien des installations aeronautiques
(
GAIA
)), based at Bordeaux-Merignac Air Base (BA 106)
- French Space Command
(
French
:
Commandement de l'espace
(
CDE
)),
[31]
HQ at
Toulouse Space Centre
- Operational Preparation and Employment Division (
Division preparation operationnelle et emploi
(
DPOE
)),
Hexagone Balard
, Paris
- Space Operations Air Force Brigade (
Brigade aerienne des operations spatiales
(
BAOS
)), based at Toulouse Space Center. By 2025 the CMOS and the COSMOS will relocate to Toulouse Space Center as well. In preparation for this the French Air and Space Force has formed the military installation FA 101 (
Formation administrative
(
FA
101
)) on the premises of the space center.
[32]
- Space Operations Command and Control Center (
Centre de Commandement et de Controle des operations spatiales
(
C3OS
)), based at Toulouse Space Center
- Satellite Observation Military Center 01.092
"Bourgogne"
(
French
:
Centre militaire d’observation par satellites (CMOS) 01.092 Bourgogne
), based at
Creil
-Senlis Air Base (BA 110)
- Operational Center for Military Surveillance of Space Objects (
French
:
Centre operationnel de surveillance militaire des objets spatiaux (COSMOS)
), based at
Lyon ? Mont Verdun Air Base
(BA 942)
These last two brigades belonged until 2013 to the Air Force Support Command (CSFA), which maintained the arms systems, equipment, information and communication systems (SIC) as well as infrastructure. The CSFA supported the human element, the military logistics (supply and transport), wherever, previously, forces of the French Air and Space Force operated or trained. These two brigades are now subordinate to the CFA.
The official designation of the service was changed in July 2019 from Air Army (
Armee de l'Air
) to Air and Space Army (
Armee de l'air et de l'espace
), when the previous joint Inter-Service Space Command (
Commandement interarmees de l'espace
(
CIE
)) under the French General Staff was transformed into the
Space Command
(
Commandement de l'espace
(
CDE
)) and absorbed into the Air and Space Force as its fourth command.
All air regions were disestablished on 1 January 2008. In the 1960s, there were five air regions (RA). The number was then reduced to four by a decree of 30 June 1962 with the disestablishment of the 5th Aerial Region (
French North Africa
). The decree of 14 July 1991 reduced the air regions to three: ≪ RA Atlantic ≫, ≪ RA Mediterranean ≫ and ≪ RA North-East ≫. On 1 July 2000 was placed into effect an organization consisting of ≪ RA North ≫ (RAN) and ≪ RA South ≫ (RAS). The territorial division was abolished by decree n°2007-601 of 26 April 2007.
[33]
[34]
From 2008 to 2010 the French Air Force underwent the "Air 2010" streamlining process. The main targets of this project were to simplify the command structure, to regroup all military and civil air force functions and to rationalise and optimise all air force units. Five major commands, were formed, instead of the former 13, and several commands and units were disbanded.
[35]
Support services
[
edit
]
The Directorate of Human Resources of the Air and Space Force (DRH-AAE) recruits, trains, manages, administers, and converts personnel of the Air and Space Force. Since January 2008, the DRH-AAE groups the former Air Force directorate of military personnel (DPMMA) and some tasks of the former
Air Force Training Command
. The directorate is responsible for Air and Space Force recruitment via the recruiting bureau.
French joint defence service organisations, supporting the air and space force, include:
[23]
- The Integrated Structure of Maintaining Operational Conditioning of Aeronautical Defense Materials (
French
:
Structure Integree de Maintien en Condition Operationnelle des Materiels Aeronautiques de la Defense
) (SIMMAD).
- The
Service industriel de l'aeronautique
(
French
:
Service Industriel de l'Aeronautique
) (SIAE), a 4700-person
maintenance
organization, internal to the French air force, in charge of 20% of the heavy maintenance of
French armed forces
, the other 80% being the responsibility of private aeronautics companies.
- The " Air
Commissariat
" (
French
:
" Commissariat de l'Air "
) between 1947 and 2007, then " Financial and General Administration Service " (
French
:
" Service de l'Administration Generale et des Finances " (SAGF)
) from 2008 until 2009, and finally the " Commissariat Service of the Armed Forces " (SCA) (
French
:
Service du Commissariat des Armees
) since 2010, have successively been designated as administrative services of the French Air and Space Force. The
Commissioners
as well as Civilians of this service carry out : operations support, individual legal rights, judicial, internal control accountability, financial and purchase executions, and support and protection of the combatant.
[36]
Wings
[
edit
]
Commanded by a Lieutenant-colonel or Colonel, the
Escadre
is a formation that assembles various units and personnel dedicated to the same mission. In 1932, the "regiment" designation was replaced with "Escadre", which until 1994 was a unit consisting of the following:
- units (escadrons or groups) generally equipped with the same type of aircraft or at least assuring the same type of mission
- units of maintenance and support.
Escadres
(
wings
) were dissolved from 1993 as part of the
Armees 2000
reorganisation, were reestablished in 2014.
[37]
The problems caused by having the aircraft maintenance units not responsible to the flying squadrons they supported eventually forced the change.
Four
Escadres
were reformed in the first phase:
[37]
In the second phase, the French Air Force announced in August 2015 the creation of six additional wings:
[37]
Also established was the
Escadre Aerienne de Commandement et de Conduite Projetable
at
Evreux-Fauville Air Base
on 27 August 2015.
The French Air and Space Force announced in August 2015 that unit numbering, moves of affected aircraft, and the transfer of historic material (flags, traditions and names) would be completed in 2016.
[37]
Another air force wing was added on September 5, 2019:
Squadrons and flights
[
edit
]
Commanded by a lieutenant-colonel, the Escadron is the basic operational unit. This term replaced that of Group as of 1949 with the aim to standardize usage with the allies of
NATO
who were using the term 'squadron'. However, the term Group did not entirely disappear: the term was retained for the Aerial Group 56 Mix Vaucluse, specialized in Special Operations or Group ?
Groupe de Ravitaillement en Vol 02.091 Bretagne
(
French
:
Groupe de Ravitaillement en Vol 02.091 Bretagne
) which is still carrying the same designation since 2004.
[
citation needed
]
A fighter squadron (
escadron
) can number some twenty machines, spread in general in three Escadrilles. A Transport Escadron (
Escadron de Transport
) can theoretically count a dozen
Transall C-160
, however, numbers are usually much less for heavier aircraft (three
Airbus A310-300
and two
Airbus A340-200
for the Transport Escadron 3/60 Esterel (
French
:
Escadron de Transport 3/60 Esterel
)).
[
citation needed
]
The squadrons have retained the designations of the former Escadres disbanded during the 1990s. For instance: Transport Escadron 1/64 Bearn (
French
:
escadron de transport 1/64 Bearn
) (more specifically Transport Escadron 01.064 Bearn), which belonged to the 64th Transport Escadre (
French
:
64
e
Escadre de Transport
) during the dissolution of the later (recreated in August 2015). Not all escadrons (Squadrons) are necessarily attached to an Escadre.
[
citation needed
]
The Escadrille (flight) has both an administrative and operational function, even of the essential operational control is done at the level of the Esacdron. A pilot is assigned to the Escadrille, however the equipment and material devices, on the other hand, are assigned to the Escadron. Since the ESTA (Aeronautic Technical Support Escadrons) came into being, material devices and the mechanics have been assigned directly to the base then put at disposition of the based Escadrons.
[
citation needed
]
The Escadrilles adopted the traditions of the prestigious units out of which most (SPA and SAL),
[note 1]
are those traditions of the First World War.
[
citation needed
]
Fusiliers Commandos de l'Air
[
edit
]
The
Fusiliers Commandos de l'Air
comprise:
[38]
- Protection squadrons (
French
:
Escadrons de protection
) (EP)
- Air Parachute Commando 10 (
French
:
Commando parachutiste de l'air
) (CPA 10)
- Air Parachute Commando 20 (CPA 20)
- Air Parachute Commando 30 (CPA 30)
Protection Squadrons protect airbases inside and outside the national territory, and in exterior operations as well.
The CPAs carry out common missions, as well as specialized tasks including intervention and reinforcement of protection at the profit of sensible points " air " inside and outside the national territory.
Air bases
[
edit
]
Flying activity in France is carried out by a network of bases, platforms and
French air and space defence radar systems
. It is supported by bases, which are supervised and maintained by staff, operational centres, warehouses, workshops, and schools. Both in France and abroad, bases have similar infrastructure to provide standardised support.
The French Air and Space Force has, as of 1 August 2014:
- Within the metropolitan territory of France, 27 airbases, out of the which 18 aeronautical platform with perceived runways and 5 Bases non-platform, two schools, 3 air detachments and " one attached air element " (EAR).
- Beyond the metropole/Europe, 7 Aerial Bases or permanent detachments in overseas or country.
Some French airbases house radar units (e.g. Lyon, Mont-Verdun, Drachenbronn, Cinq-Mars-la-Pile, Nice, Mont-Agel) to carry out air defence radar surveillance and air traffic control. Others house material warehouses or command posts. Temporary and semi-permanent foreign deployments include transport aircraft at
Dushanbe
(
Tajikistan
,
Operation Heracles
), and fighter aircraft in
N'Djamena
(
Tchad
,
Operation Epervier
), among others.
As swift as the French Air and Space Force operates, the closure of aerial bases is more constant and immediate, having known a strong acceleration since the 1950s. An air base commander has authority over all units stationed on their base. Depending on the units' tasks, this means that they are responsible for approximately 600 to 2500 personnel.
On average, a base, made up of about 1500 personnel (nearly 3500 people including family), provides a yearly economic boost to its area of about 60 million euros. Consequently, determining the sites for air bases constitutes a major part of regional planning.
[39]
- BA 105
Evreux-Fauville Air Base
. Command, operational and logistic support. Air transport units with 27×
CASA CN-235M
, 9×
Transall C-160 NG
.
- BA 107
Velizy ? Villacoublay Air Base
. Helicopter and heavy air transport units.
- BA 113
Saint-Dizier ? Robinson Air Base
4e Escadre de Chasse
, 50×
Rafale B
and
Rafale C
.
- BA 116
Luxeuil - Saint-Sauveur Air Base
. Air defence fighter base with 28×
Mirage 2000-5F
.
- BA 123
Orleans ? Bricy Air Base
. Air transport units with 17×
Airbus A400M Atlas
and 18×
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
. CFPSAA operational command.
- BA 133
Nancy ? Ochey Air Base
. Three strike fighter squadrons units with 70×
Mirage 2000D
,
[40]
SAM sqns.
- BA 279
Chateaudun Air Base
. Airplane maintenance, repair and storage airbase.
- BA 702
Avord Air Base
. CFAS nuclear strike stockpile.
AWACS
4×
E-3F Sentry
unit. Inflight refueling
C-135FR
unit.
- BA 705
Tours
airbase. Fighter pilot training school were equipped with
Alpha Jet
. This school has been moved to BA 709 in 2020.
- DA 273
Romorantin
air detachment. Logistics unit.
- BA 106
Bordeaux-Merignac Airport
. Transport support base for the air staff.
- BA 115
Orange-Caritat Air Base
. Air defence 28×
Mirage 2000C
and 6×
Mirage 2000B-S5
.
- BA 118
Mont-de-Marsan Air Base
. Home to 52×
Rafale B
and
Rafale C
. Home of CEAM, the Air and Space Force military experimentation and trials organisation, Air defence radar command reporting centre, and the air traffic control and air defence control training centre.
- BA 120
Cazaux Air Base
, situated South-west of the
port
city of
Bordeaux
. Fighter pilot training squadron equipped with 45×
Alpha Jet
. Air and Space Force airplane stockpile.
- BA 125
Istres-Le Tube Air Base
. Two
Transall C-160
G strategic communication flight. Inflight refueling unit with 4×
Airbus A330 MRTT
and 14×
KC-135FR
. CEAM ? the Air and Space Force military test centre.
- BA 126
Solenzara Air Base
. Fighter gunnery range. SAR unit.
- DA 277
Varennes-sur-Allier
. Air and Space Force supply depot. DA 277 was dissolved on 30 June 2015.
- Air Base 278
Amberieu
. Logistic support base.
- BA 701
Salon-de-Provence Air Base
. Presentation Team equipped with 12×
Alpha Jet
. Officer instruction school. Enlisted instruction school.
- BA 709
Cognac ? Chateaubernard Air Base
. Basic flight training school equipped with 17×
Pilatus PC-21
and UAV squadron with 8×
MQ-9 Reaper
.
- Air Base 721
Rochefort
. Home of the NCO school, the
Ecole de formation des sous-officiers de l'armee de l'air
.
- BA 942
Lyon ? Mont Verdun Air Base
. Air defence radar command reporting centre. National Air Operations Command (CNOA) location.
- EAR 943 Nice Mont-Agel
. Air defence radar GM 406.
- DA 204
Bordeaux-Beausejour
air detachment. Logistic unit.
- EETAA 722
Saintes
. Air and Space Force electronic, technical instruction also as Military basic Bootcamp.
- EPA 749
Grenoble
. Air and Space Force child support school.
Overseas
[
edit
]
More than ten bases have been closed since 2009.
Doullens Air Base
(BA 922) was a former command and reporting centre;
Toulouse - Francazal Air Base
(BA 101), was closed on 1 September 2009;
Colmar-Meyenheim Air Base
(BA 132) was closed on 16 June 2010;
Metz-Frescaty Air Base
(BA 128) was closed on 30 June 2011;
Bretigny-sur-Orge Air Base
(BA 217), closed 26 June 2012;
Cambrai - Epinoy Air Base
(BA 103), was closed on 28 June 2012;
Reims ? Champagne Air Base
(June 2012);
Drachenbronn Air Base
(BA 901) closed on 17 July 2015;
Dijon Air Base
(BA 102), was vacated on 30 June 2016;
[41]
Creil Air Base
(BA 110) vacated on 31 August 2016; and
Taverny Air Base
(DA 921), the former
Strategic Air Forces Command
headquarters.
Inventory
[
edit
]
Aircraft
[
edit
]
Satellites
[
edit
]
Name
|
Origin
|
Type
|
Introduced
|
In service
|
Notes
|
Airbus Defence and Space
/
Thales Alenia Space
CSO
|
France
|
Earth observation constellation
|
2018
|
2 satellites
|
- Successor of the Helios 2 constellation
- CSO-1 launched in December 2018 and CSO-2 in December 2020
- The last satellite, CSO-3, is scheduled to be launched in 2024
- To be succeeded by a new generation optical intelligence constellation (IRIS) from 2028 onwards
[58]
|
Airbus Defence and Space
Pleiades Neo
|
France
|
Earth observation constellation
|
2021
|
2 satellites
|
- Successor of the Pleiades constellation
- Pleiades Neo 3 and 4 launched in April and August 2021 respectively
- 4 satellites originally planned but the Pleiades Neo 5 and 6 were lost in December 2022 as a result of the failure of
Vega C flight VV22
|
Airbus Defence and Space
Pleaides
|
France
|
Earth observation constellation
|
2011
|
2 satellites
|
- Pleiades 1A launched in December 2011 and Pleiades 1B in December 2012
- Still operational as of 2023
|
Airbus Defence and Space
Helios 2
|
France
|
Earth observation constellation
|
2004
|
2 satellites
|
- Successor of the Helios 1 constellation (launched in 1995 and decommissioned in 2012)
- Helios 2A launched in December 2004 and Helios 2B in December 2009
- Still operational as of 2023
|
Airbus Defence and Space
/
Thales Alenia Space
CERES
|
France
|
Electromagnetic intelligence constellation
|
2021
|
3 satellites
|
- All 3 CERES satellites launched in November 2021
- To be succeeded by a new generation electromagnetic intelligence constellation (CELESTE) from 2029 onwards
|
Thales Alenia Space
/
Airbus Defence and Space
Syracuse IV
|
France
|
Telecommunication satellite constellation
|
2021
|
2 satellites
|
- Successor of the Syracuse III constellation
- Syracuse 4A launched in October 2021 and Syracuse 4B launched in July 2023.
- 3 satellites originally planned but in April 2023, it was announced the first two satellites would be more than sufficient and that the last, Syracuse 4C (previously scheduled to be launched by 2025), would be cancelled in favor of financing the
European Union
's
IRIS²
satellite internet constellation
. It was also announced a program to develop the next generation of communications satellite constellation (Syracuse V) would be launched in the 2024?2030 French Military Planning Law to succeed the Syracuse 4A and Syracuse 4B satellites in the 2030s.
|
Thales Alenia Space
Syracuse III
|
France
|
Telecommunication satellite constellation
|
2005
|
2 satellites
|
- Syracuse 3A launched in October 2005 and Syracuse 3B in August 2006.
- Still operational as of 2023
|
Thales Alenia Space
Sicral 2
|
France
Italy
|
Telecommunication satellite
|
2015
|
1 satellite
|
Launched in April 2015
|
Thales Alenia Space
Athena-Fidus
|
France
Italy
|
Telecommunication satellite
|
2014
|
1 satellite
|
Launched in February 2014
|
Galileo
|
Europe
|
Global navigation satellite system
|
2011
|
24 satellites
|
Being launched since October 2011
|
Air defense
[
edit
]
Name
|
Origin
|
Type
|
Introduced
|
In service
|
Notes
|
Eurosam SAMP/T Mamba
|
France
Italy
|
High to medium air defense
system
|
2011
|
8 batteries
|
- First French MAMBA squadron achieved operational status in October 2011
- To be succeeded by the SAMP/T NG (New Generation)
- 12 SAMP/T NG batteries planned in total (8 to be in service by 2030 and 12 by 2035)
[59]
|
Thales Crotale NG
|
France
|
Short range air defense
system
|
1990
|
8?10 units
|
- To be replaced by the
VL MICA NG
medium-range surface-to-air missile system
- 12 VL MICA NG batteries planned in total (9 to enter service by 2030 et 12 by 2035)
[60]
|
Thales
/CS Group PARADE
|
France
|
Modular counter-drone platform
|
2023
|
Unknown
|
- Development led by Thales and CS Group
- 6 systems to be delivered to the French Armed Forces in 2023 (the number of systems going to the Air and Space Force is unknown)
- 15 systems planned in total, with full delivery to be completed by 2030
[61]
|
MC2 Technologies NEROD F5
|
France
|
Man-portable anti-drone jamming system
|
2020
|
Unknown
|
The NEROD F5 is a microwave jammer capable of disrupting and neutralizing all communication protocols used by drones. It neutralizes:
- the usual or improvised mini and micro drones by acting simultaneously on 4 remote control frequencies among 5 available
- the satellite navigation system of the targeted drone.
[62]
|
Surveillance systems
[
edit
]
The Air and Space Force operates a wide range of air and space surveillance systems. Among them, the:
- 23 CM
- ALADIN NGD
tactical and air-transportable low- and very-low-altitude coverage radars
- ARES
- CENTAURE
primary and secondary panoramic radars
- GRAVES
space surveillance system
- Ground Master 406
and
403
AESA
long-range air defense
3D radars
- Ground Master 200
AESA medium-range air defense 3D radars
- PAR NG
new-generation precision approach radars
- SAT 3D
- SATAM
- TRAC 2400
long-range two-dimensional electronically scanned radars
- TRS 22XX
and
TRS 2215
three-dimensional long-range electronically scanned radars
Personnel
[
edit
]
Since the end of the
Algerian War
, the French Air and Space Force has comprised about 17 to 19% of the
French Armed Forces
.
[63]
In 1990, at the end of the
Cold War
, numbers reached 56,400 military personnel under contract, out of which 36,300 were part of conscription and 5,400 civilians.
[64]
In 2008, forecasts for personnel of the French Air Force were expected to number 50,000 out of which 44,000 aviators on the horizon in 2014.
In 2010, the number personnel of the French Air Force was reduced to 51,100 men and women (20%) out of which: 13%
officers
; 55%
sous-officier
; 29% air military technicians (MTA); 3% volunteers of national service and
aspirant
volunteers; 6,500 civilians (14%). They form several functions:
- Non-flying personnel
Non-navigating personnel of the French Air and Space Force include and are not limited to : Systems Aerial Mechanics (
French
:
mecanicien systeme aeronautique
), Aerial Controllers (
French
:
controleur aerien
),
Meteorologists
(
French
:
meteorologue
), Administrative Personnel, Air Parachute Commandos (
French
:
Commandos parachutistes de l'air
), in Informatics, in Infrastructures, in Intelligence, Commissioner of the Armies (
French
:
Commissaire
) (Administrator Task).
- Flying personnel
Pilots, Mechanical Navigating Officer (
French
:
Mecanicien Navigant
), Navigating Arms Systems Officer (
French
:
Navigateur Officier Systeme d'Armes
) (NOSA), Combat Air Medic (
French
:
Convoyeur de l'Air
) (CVA).
Training of personnel
[
edit
]
Officers
, within their recruitment and future specialty, are trained at:
Officers of the French Air and Space Force are spread in three corps:
Non-commissioned officers (Sous-Officiers) are trained at:
Military Air Technicians (
French
:
militaires techniciens de l’air
) having been trained until 1 July 2015 at the Center of Elementary Military Formation (
French
:
" Centre de formation militaire elementaire "
) of the Technical Instruction School of the French Air and Space Force (
French
:
Ecole d'enseignement technique de l'Armee de l'air
) of Saintes. Since 1 July 2015, training has taken place at Orange-Caritat Air Base, within the " Operational Combatant Preparation Center of the Air Force " (
French
:
Centre de preparation operationnelle du combattant de l'Armee de l'air
).
Air traffic controllers
are trained at the Center of Instruction Control and Air Defense (
French
:
Centre d'Instruction du Controle et de la Defense Aerienne
).
Ranks
[
edit
]
- Officers
-
Aspirant eleve de l'Ecole de l'air
(EA)
(Officer candidate, air force academy)
-
Aspirant eleve de l'Ecole militaire de l'air
(EMA)
(Officer candidate, military flight school)
-
Eleve officier de l'Ecole de l'air
(EA)
(Officer cadet, air force academy)
-
Eleve officier du personnel navigant
(EOPN)
(Navigation officer cadet)
- Enlisted
See also
[
edit
]
Notes
[
edit
]
- ^
Designations of Escadrilles composed of the identifying number of material devices (for instance SPA for escadrille equipped with SPAD, N for Nieuport, SAL for Salmson, etc.) and an order number.
References
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edit
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Further reading
[
edit
]
- Olivier, Jean-Marc, (ed.),
Histoire de l'armee de l'air et des forces aeriennes francaises du XVIII
e
siecle a nos jours"
[History of the Air Force and French aerial forces since the 18th century to the present], Toulouse, Privat, 2014, 552 p.
- Pither, Tony (1998).
The Boeing 707 720 and C-135
. England:
Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd
.
ISBN
978-0-85130-236-2
.
- Diego Ruiz Palmer, "France's Military Command Structures in the 1990s," in Thomas-Durell Young, Command in NATO After the Cold War: Alliance, National and Multinational Considerations, U.S. Army Strategic Studies Institute, June 1997
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