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Armée de l'Air Founded 1909 (independent in 1933) Country France Size 65,000 personnel 829 aircraft Part of French Armed Forces Commanders Chef d'Etat-major de l'Armée de l'Air Général d'Armée aérienne Jean-Paul Paloméros Insignia Roundel

French Military Components French Air Force French Army French Navy Gendarmerie Ranks Ranks in the French Army Ranks in the French Navy History of the French Military Military History of France La Grande Armée

The French Air Force (French: Armée de l'Air (ALA), literally Air Army) is the air force of the French Armed Forces. It was formed in 1909 as the Service Aéronautique. The French Air Force operates 829 Air Craft, making it the 4th largest air force in NATO only behind the air forces of The United States, Great Britain and Turkey.

History

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 traditional French cockade. The roundel design was 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 the air force from 1909 and had the first WWI fighter pilots. During the interwar years, however, particularly in the 1930s, the quality fell when compared with the Luftwaffe, which crushed the French during the Battle of France.

In the post–WWII era, the French made a successful effort to develop a home grown aircraft industry. Dassault Aviation led the way with delta-wing designs, which formed the basis for the Mirage series of jet fighters. The Mirage demonstrated its 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.

After an absence lasting several decades, the French President Nicolas Sarkozy confirmed that France will rejoin the NATO integrated command^[1].

Status

The ALA is organised into three levels:

Central Command

The President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, is Chief of the armed forces, responsible for the overall defence policy. The Prime Minister is responsible for national defence and the Minister of Defence is responsible for the execution of the military policy.

He is advised by the Chief of Staff of the Armies (CEMA) in regard to the use of forces and the control of military operations. The Chief of Staff-Air Force (CEMAA) determines the air force doctrines and advises the CEMA how to deploy French aerial assets. He is responsible for the preparation and logistic support of the air force. The CEMAA is assisted by the air force staff and by its subordinate services. Finally, the CEMAA is assisted by the inspection of the air force (IAA) and by the air force health service inspection (ISSAA).

Greater operational and organic commands

In the ALA the responsibilities are separated in two main types of commands: operational commands (direct responsible for force deployment) and organic commands (in charge of conditioning and logistic support). These commands are subject to change before 2010 (see Future).

CFAS—Strategic Air Command

All the air forces nuclear assets are placed in this command which is responsible for the operational condition and the eventual deployment of these weapons. The CFAS is one of the two pillars of the French nuclear deterrent, but is to be dissolved in 2010. CFAS has 3 squadrons of dual capable Mirage 2000N fighter/bombers capable of carrying the nuclear Air-Sol Moyenne Portée stand-off missile and a squadron of C-135FR in-flight refuelling tankers at its disposal to carry out their missions. The commanding CFAS general is responsible for the execution of the mission.

CDAOA—Air Defence and Air Operations Command

This overall command is responsible for all air operations in peacetime serving the public, for the defence of the French airspace and for all offensive and defensive air operations at war.

CFA—Joint Air Command

A new command which has been inaugurated in 2006. It is responsible to ensure and to maintain the operational condition of all branches of the air force now and for the future. At present day the CFA consists of

• 16 fighter squadrons and 25 air defence squadrons
• 1 electronic warfare squadron
• simulator and instruction centres

On its airbases in Europe and abroad the CFA has 16m000 personnel, 279 fighter aircraft, 122 transport aircraft and 85 helicopters.

CASSIC—Air Surveillance, Information and Communication Systems Command

This command has already been dissolved and the 8100 personnel, working in the former CASSIC have been transferred to the other existing air force commands and to the DIRISI, the interim joint defence communication and intelligence organisation.

CDAOA, based in Paris and Lyon, plans and executes all air operations. ex-CASSIC personnel are embedded here to develop exercises and operations abroad.

CFA prepares the forces. Since 2007, 38% ex-CASSIC personnel rejoined the airspace control brigade which also controls all ground-air defence units.

CSFA, based in Bordeaux, guards the technical and logistical assets. Since 2006 it has taken over many ex-CASSIC projects.

CEAA—Air Force Training Command

Responsible for training all new air force personnel as well as on the technical and on the job training of the other air force personnel, as well as the officers and NCO training. CEAA is also responsible for all schools and training facilities.

CFPSAA—Operational Support Command

This command is responsible for the operational readiness and the deployment of all base protecting squadrons, dog-handlers, fire brigades, paratroopers and NBC and decontamination personnel. In 2007, the CFPSAA has been renamed BAFSI (Brigade Aérienne des Forces de Sécurité et d'Intervention).

Airbase Command

The air base command levels are the combat assets of the ALA. An airbase commander has authority over all units stationed on his base. Depending on the units tasks this means that he is responsible for approximately 600 to 2500 personnel.

Flying activity in France is carried out by a network of bases, platforms and French air defence radar systems. It is supported by bases, which are supervised and maintained by staff, centres of operations, warehouses, workshops, and schools.

Both in France and abroad, bases have almost similar infrastructure to provide standardised support. This operational mode allows fast and easy creation of air bases outside of France.

Overseas, fighters, transport aircraft and helicopters allow quick response to any request for assistance that falls within international agreements. On average, a base platform, 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.

Bases

Northern region

BA117 Paris, HQ of the French Air Force

• BA 102 Dijon airbase. Air defence squadrons equipped with Mirage 2000-5.
• BA 103 Cambrai airbase. Units mainly equipped with Mirage 2000 RDI interceptors.
• BA 105 Évreux airbase. Command, operational and logistic support.
• BA 107 Villacoublay airbase. Helicopter and heavy air transport units.
• BA 110 Creil airbase. Heavy air transport units with Casa CN-235/100 for short distance and with Airbus A310-300.
• BA 112 Reims airbase. Tactical recce sqn with Mirage F1 CR.
• BA 113 Saint-Dizier airbase. Transition sqn for the new Dassault Rafale C.
• BA 116 Luxeuil airbase. CFA nuclear strike stockpile. Strike sqns equipped with Mirage 2000N.
• BA 117 Paris airbase. Central command.
• BA 123 Orléans airbase. Former CFAP and CASSIC command location. CFPSAA operational command.
• BA 128 Metz airbase. Location of the new CFA command, mixed air transport sqn.
• BA 132 Colmar-Meyenheim. Tactical squadrons equipped with Mirage F1-CT
• BA 133 Nancy Ochey airbase. Fighter squadrons Mirage 2000D, SAM sqns.
• BA 217 Brétigny. Personnel officer/nco selection and logistic units.
• BA 279 Châteaudun airbase. Airplane storage base.
• BA 702 Avord airbase. CFAS nuclear strike stockpile. AWACS Boeing E-3 Sentry unit. Inflight refueling KC-135 unit
• BA 705 Tours airbase. Fighter pilot training school.
• BA 901 Drachenbronn. Air defence radar command reporting centre.
• BA 921 Taverny. Strategic Air Command (CFAS)
• DA 273 Romorantin air detachment. Logistic unit.
• DA 922 Doullens air detachment. Disbanded command reporting centre.

Southern Region

• BA 101 Toulouse airbase. Instruction air transport unit Transall C-160 NG and Puma SA 330.
• BA 106 Mérignac airbase. Transport support base for the air staff.
• BA 115 Orange airbase. Air defence squadrons Mirage 2000D and transition sqn Mirage 2000B.
• BA 118 Mont de Marsan airbase. Home of CEAM, the Air Force military experience centre, Air defence radar command reporting centre, instruction centre for air defence control.
• BA 120 Cazaux airbase, situated South-west of the port city of Bordeaux. Air force airplane stockpile.44°31′28″N 01°06′36″W / 44.52444°N 1.11°W / 44.52444; -1.11
• BA 125 Istres airbase. CFAS nuclear strike stockpile. Strike squadrons equipped with Mirage 2000N. Transall C-160 G strategic communication flight. Inflight refueling unit with C-135RF. CEAM, the Air Force military experience centre.
• BA 126 Solenzara airbase. Fighter gunnery range. SAR unit.
• BA 278 Ambérieu airbase. Logistic support base.
• BA 701 Salon de Provence. Officer instruction school. Enlisted instruction school.
• BA 709 Cognac airbase. Basic flight training school.
• BA 721 Rochefort-Saint-Agnant. NCO school.
• BA 942 Lyon Mont-Verdun. Air defence radar command reporting centre. CNOA location. National Air Operations Command.
• BA 943 Nice Roquebrune. Air defence radar command reporting centre.
• DA 204 Mérignac. Logistic detachment.
• EETAA 722 Saintes. Air force electronic and technical instruction.
• EPA 749 Grenoble. Air force child support school

Overseas

• BA 160 Dakar Ouakam, Africa. Mixed units.
• BA 181 Reunion Island. Mixed units.
• BA 188 Djibouti, Africa. Mixed units.
• Air elements Libreville and N’djamena. Helicopter units.
• BA 190 French Polynesia. Mixed unit.
• BA 365 Martinique. Mixed unit.
• BA 367 Guyana, South America. Mixed units.
• BA 376 New Caledonia, Pacific Air defence radar command BA 376 New Caledonia, Air defence squadrons Mirage 2000D and transition sqn Mirage 2000B, training facility
• BA 104 Abu Dhabi

Aircraft inventory

The French Air Force operates a fleet of 829 active aircraft. This includes fighters, transport aircraft, passenger transport and helicopters. 150 comprise the air mobility force (CFAP) and include aircraft such as C-160 and the C-130 Hercules. The CFAP also includes 80 helicopters like the Super Puma and the Ecureuil. 368 fighter aircraft are incorporated into 19 squadrons. The Air 2010 concept allows for 300 fighters, mainly composed of the new generation multirole combat airplane Rafale.

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Versions	In service[2]	Notes
Combat aircraft
Dassault Mirage 2000	France	Multirole/Strike/AD/Nuclear	Mirage 2000/5F/B/C/D/N	253[3]	36x Mirage 2000-5F/21x Mirage 2000B/52x Mirage 2000C/80x Mirage 2000D/64x Mirage 2000N
Dassault Mirage F1	France	Multirole/Reconnaissance/Strike	Mirage F1/B/CR/CT	62[4]	5x Mirage F1B/48x Mirage F1CR/9x Mirage F1CT
Dassault Rafale	France	Multirole/AD/Strike	Rafale B/C	52[5]	38x Rafale B/15x Rafale C
		Total Combat Aircraft		368
Trainers
Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet	France	Trainer (Combat Capable)	Alpha Jet E	99
Embraer EMB 121 Xingu	Brazil	Trainer	EMB 121	35
Jodel D-140	France	Trainer
Grob G-120	Germany	Trainer	G120A-F	18
Socata TB	France	Trainer	TB 30 Epsilon	90
Walter Extra 300	Germany	Aerobatic training	Extra 300SC	3
		Total Trainer Air Craft		245
Transports
Airbus A310	France	Strategic transport	A310-304	3
Airbus A319	Germany	VIP transport	A319-115 CJ	2
Airbus A330	France	VIP transport	A330-223	1
Airbus A340	France	Strategic transport	A340-211	2
CASA CN-235	Spain	Tactical transport	CN-235-200/CN-235-200M	8/11
Dassault Falcon 50	France	VIP transport	Falcon 50	4
Dassault Falcon 900	France	VIP transport	Falcon 900	2
Dassault Falcon 7X	France	VIP transport	Falcon 7X	1
Lockheed C-130 Hercules	United States	Tactical transport	C-130H/C-130H-30	5/9
Socata TBM	France	Liaison transport	TBM 700	17
Transall C-160	France	ELINT/Tactical transport	C-160G Gabriel/C-160NG	2/52
		Total Transport Air Craft		119
Transport/Search and Rescue Helicopter
de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter	Canada	Utility transport	DHC-6	5
Eurocopter AS 532 Cougar	France	Transport	AS 332L	3
Eurocopter AS 555 Fennec	France	Utility	AS 555AN	42
Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma	France	Transport helicopter	SA 330	29
		Total Transport helicopters/Search and Rescue Helicopters		79
Maritime Patrol/Reconnaissance/Tanker
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker	United States	Refuelling	C-135FR	14	1985
Boeing E-3 Sentry	United States	Airborne early warning	E-3F	4	1991
		Total Maritime Patrol/Reconnaissance/Tanker Air Craft		18
Total Air Craft in service
		Total Air Craft in service		829	467 combat aircraft (368 Front line and 99 Advanced Trainers)

Ranks

Flag officers

général d'armée aérienne   général de corps aérien   général de division aérienne   général de brigade aérienne

Officers

colonel   lieutenant-colonel   commandant   capitaine   lieutenant   sous-lieutenant

Student

aspirant   aspirant non-élève   aspirant EOPN   aspirant élève   élève officier

Non-commissioned officers

major   adjudant-chef   adjudant   sergent-chef

Enlisted personnel

caporal-chef   caporal   aviateur de première classe   aviateur de deuxième classe

Future

Like most modern defence organisations the French air force is reorganising its commands, units and assets. This project to streamline the forces is called Air 2010, which is the year of the deadline for all transitions. The main targets of this project are to simplify the command structure, to regroup all military and civil air force functions and to rationalise and optimise all air force units. The solution to reach these aims seems to be changing the organisation into five major commands, instead of the former 13, and to disband several commands and units.

• CDAOA (air defence and air operations command)
• CFA (air force command)
• CSFA (logistic command)
• DRHAA (human resource direction)
• SAGF (administration and finance service)

See also

• List of French Air Force aircraft squadrons

Notes

External links

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