French Air Force

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The French Air Force is the air force branch of the French Armed Forces. Its official name is the Armée de l'Air (literally, "army of the air"). It is one of the most powerful air forces in the world and has held a prominent role in modern French military history.

French Military

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[edit] 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.

From this point of view, the Air Force is organized into three levels:

• The central level of command
• Great operational and organic commands
• Air bases

[edit] First level: the central level of command

The Head of the Armed Forces and the President of France create the general defense policy. The Prime Minister is in charge of 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).

[edit] 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).

[edit] 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.

[edit] History

Main articles: History of the Armée de l'Air (1909-1942), History of the Armée de l'Air (1940-1945), and History of the Armée de l'Air (1939-1962)

The first use of a roundel on military aircraft was during the First World War by the French Air Force. It consisted of a blue-white-red design mirroring the Flag of France. The roundel was subsequently adopted by their allies, the British Royal Flying Corps, as their original painted Union Flags looked too much like the German cross.

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 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.

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.

[edit] Equipment

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 Alphajet, Xingu, Epsilon, and Tucano, to meet training requirements. These air assets are supported by ground units and a sophisticated infrastructure.^[1]

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

[edit] Bases

The first Rafale fighter squadron became operational at Saint-Dizier in June 2006.   It should be possible to replace this fair use image with a freely licensed one. If you can, please do so as soon as is practical.

[edit] Units

The ceremony for the 10 years of CASSIC

Main article: List of French Air Force aircraft squadrons

[edit] Surveillance and Communications Command (CASSIC)

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

[edit] Strategic air command (CFAS)

CAS is charged with nuclear weapons.

• Refueling squadron 00.093 Bretagne
• Fighter squadrons. All are equipped with Mirage 2000 N K2 fighter/bombers and have as their primary mission strategic nuclear bombing. They use the ASMP standoff missile.
  • 1/4 Dauphiné
  • 2/4 La Fayette
  • 3/4 Limousin
• Strategic reconnaissance squadron 1/91 Gascogne (French Air Force)
• Tactical instruction center 00.339 Aquitaine

[edit] Tactical air command

• 2/3 Normandie-Niemen

[edit] Notes

1. ↑  Armée de l'Air

[edit] External links

• (French) Official Website
• (French) List of air bases, appendix of the budget bill for 2006, French Senate