Page 47 - AirForces Monthly - Issue 381 (December 2019)

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up with something new every defence and learn from each other
time – that’s not as easy as it both in the air as well as on the
sounds.” Lt Col Mauron explained ground.” His Swiss counterpart
how it worked in practice: “Four continued: “During the exercise
waves were flown each day. The we can compare NATO and non-
scenarios were created alternately NATO procedures and exchange
by Swiss and French pilots. The experiences like the French have
first and fourth wave of the day from their Baltic Air Policing
were normally smaller air combat missions in Eastern Europe.
manoeuvres missions consisting We can compare procedures,
of a four-ship [two Hornets and fine tune the process and then
two Mirages] employing 1-v-1 or through debriefing confirm that
2-v-2 setups – basically a standard mutual training is indeed a win-
within-visual-range dogfight. win situation for all involved.”
The second and third wave were
bigger and more complex waves Enduring relationship
with up to 14 aircraft. This morning France and Switzerland have a
I flew a 6-v-6 mission where long history of training together.
four French Mirages and two Throughout the year, Payerne F/A-
Hornets from Meiringen played 18s and Luxeuil Mirage 2000s fly
Blue Air, performing defensive with and against each other while
counter-air missions against six operating from their respective
Red Air Hornets from Payerne. home bases. There are exchanges
Red Air needed to challenge of pilots between combat squadrons
the tactics of Blue Air whose – like Lt Col Aurélien – as well as
goal it was to validate their own instructors in each other’s PC-21
game plan. Because Red Air training squadrons. Swiss F/A-18s
knew the Blue Air game plan, rely mainly on the French C-135
4 both sides had to constantly tanker fleet for annual air-to-air
1: The view from the cockpit of an Armée de l’Air Mirage 2000-5F as the pilot gives chase adapt their tactics depending refuelling currency training. Swiss
to a Swiss Air Force Hornet. The first and fourth wave each day focused on 1-v-1 or 2-v- on developments in the air.” and French pilots also meet during

2 dogfights. 2: A formation afterburner take-o by a pair of ‘Cigognes’ Mirage 2000- A variety of missions were annual exercises in Europe such as
5Fs: serial 77 (c/n 317) ‘2-AX’ is nearest the camera. A total of six Mirages deployed to practised during the week-long the Tactical Leadership Programme,
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 exercise, among them high- Tiger Meet and Frisian Flag.
exclusively for air defence. 4: French exercise director Lt Col Aurélien is a veteran Mirage value air asset (HVAA) protection Around two months prior to
2000 pilot. All photos Julian Fechter/Armée de l’Air unless stated. Inset: Remco Stalenhoef training for which a PC-6 or PC-7 Épervier, French defence minister
was used. As well as F/A-18s from Florence Parly visited Luxeuil
Meiringen, F-5s from Emmen were and confirmed that the Rafale
also involved in the scenarios. will be stationed at the base
from 2032. “This is great news
Training value for the base and secures the
Épervier offers an opportunity future of Luxeuil and GC 1/2,”
to train jointly with a foreign concluded Lt Col Aurélien. “It
country and test the procedures also means that Épervier can
of the air forces in an international continue for years to come.”
environment. Crew interoperability The Swiss on the other hand
is key nowadays and this applies are in the process of selecting a
to both pilots and ground crews. replacement for their ageing F-5s
“Everybody benefits from and F/A-18s under the Air2030
this exercise,” Lt Col Aurélien programme, with the Typhoon,
explained. “For the younger guys F/A-18E/F, F-35A and Rafale
in the squadron it’s a good way being the only competitors left.
to experience the aspects of a The F/A-18Cs and Mirage 2000s
deployment to a friendly nation will be around for the next decade
before they are sent off to the or so, but from 2030 onwards,
‘real deal’. For them, and also for new equipment will add yet more
the more experienced guys, it’s value and learning experience
good to see a different view on air to Épervier for both forces. AFM

www.Key.Aero #381 December 2019 // 47

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