Page 46 - AirForces Monthly - Issue 381 (December 2019)

Exercise
Report Épervier 2019

Alpine fighter meet

Swiss Épervier air N and Switzerland have F/A-18s, one of F-5s and a single stay at this level of proficiency.
This year, the Franco- eighbours France 11 supporting two squadrons of It requires training to reach and
long enjoyed military
defence exercise was co-operation at various levels. air transport squadron. The Armée We can also do this training
de l’Air deployed six Mirage 2000-
here since we have the same
held at the Swiss base In the past, Switzerland flew 5Fs of GC 1/2, now home based mindsets. It’s not only nice to be
of Payerne. Remco the French-developed Mirage at BA 116 Luxeuil Saint-Sauveur, an expert – it’s a necessity!”
Stalenhoef witnessed III and France recently added for manoeuvres that ran from Lt Col Mauron was the Swiss
F/A-18s and Mirage the Swiss-made PC-21 to its August 23 to 30. The timing was DIREX on behalf of the ‘home
2000-5Fs do battle over ranks. Mutual training is a fortuitous, as French exercise team’. He’s a former member of
the Patrouille Suisse team and
logical part of this bond and
director (DIREX) Lt Col Aurélien
the Alps. the Épervier (Sparrowhawk) explained: “During the time we has 2,300 Hornet hours. He told
exercise is a prominent example. were at Payerne the runway at AFM: “Épervier is a very important
The exercise dates back to 1996 our home base was resurfaced. exercise for us. Although the
when two Swiss Air Force F/A- Initially we operated for a few days last Épervier was held a few
18s flew to Base Aérienne 102 from Nancy air base but soon years back, it’s noteworthy to
Dijon-Longvic – then the home we went to Switzerland to join see that we still speak the same
of Groupe de Chasse 1/2 (GC 1/2) Épervier.” Lt Col Aurélien, who has language when we plan, execute
‘Cigognes’ – for four days of joint amassed over 2,500 flying hours, and debrief our missions during
air defence missions alongside 1,100 of which on the Mirage 2000, the exercise. This tells me that
resident Mirage 2000Cs. added: “Since I was an exchange the previous training is still in our
The location for these bilateral pilot with one of the local F/A- system and it’s also a reason why
manoeuvres alternates between 18 squadrons from 2011 till 2015 I mixed formations were possible
France and Switzerland but have some great memories here.” after only one day of flying.”
depends on availability and As with every exercise, Épervier
the commitment of assets in Air defence focus set some clear goals. The main
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operational theatres – especially The two countries employ the aim was to increase air defence
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operational theatres – especially
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on the French side. The previous Mirage 2000-5F and F/A-18 competencies by flying mixed
on the French side. The previous
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Épervier was held in June
É p e r v i e r w a s h e l d i n J u n e exclusively for air defence and fighter force operations (MFFO)
Épervier was held in June
2016 at the Armée
2016 at the Armée both Luxeuil and Payerne maintain while being confronted by air-
de l’Air’s (French quick reaction alerts (QRA). “The to-air threats in increasingly
de l’Air’s (French
Air Force’s) BA 118
Air Force’s) BA 118 squadrons are among the few in complex missions. Lt Col Aurélien
Mont-de-Marsan.
Mont-de-Marsan. Europe that are still completely continued: “If you have the
This year’s host dedicated to the air defence role,” chance to duel against each other
This year’s host
base, Payerne is home said Lt Col Aurélien. “We want to base, Payerne is home base, Payerne is home but your aircraft have similar
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1 to Fliegergeschwader be 100% at the top of our game. capabilities you have to come
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1: The view from the cockpit of an Armée de l’Air Mirage 2000-5F as the pilot gives chase
to a Swiss Air Force Hornet. The first and fourth wave each day focused on 1-v-1 or 2-v-
2 dogfights. 2: A formation afterburner take-o by a pair of ‘Cigognes’ Mirage 2000-

5Fs: serial 77 (c/n 317) ‘2-AX’ is nearest the camera. A total of six Mirages deployed to
Switzerland from Luxeuil. 3: F/A-18C J-5004 (c/n 1320) returns to the Payerne runway with
a cloud of smoke from the tyres. Like the ‘Cigognes’ Mirages, Payerne’s Hornets are used
exclusively for air defence. 4: French exercise director Lt Col Aurélien is a veteran Mirage
2000 pilot. All photos Julian Fechter/Armée de l’Air unless stated. Inset: Remco Stalenhoef
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46 // December 2019 #381 www.Key.Aero
46-47 Epervier AFM Dec2019.indd 46 08/11/2019 12:36:31