Citizendia

French Military

Components
French Air Force
French Army
French Navy
French Gendarmerie
Ranks
Ranks in the French Army
Ranks in the French Navy
History of the French Military
Military History of France
La Grande Armée
Armée de l'Air
Image:Logo-armee-de-lair.jpg

Founded1909 (independent in 1933)
CountryFrance
Size65,000 personnel
833 aircraft
Part ofMinistère de la Défense
Commanders
Chef d'Etat-major de l'Armée de l'AirGénéral d'Armée aérienne Stéphane Abrial
Insignia
Roundel

The French Air Force (French: Armée de l'Air (ALA), literally Air Army) is the air force of the French Armed Forces. The Military of France encompasses an army, a navy, an air force and a military police force. The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre (Land Army is the land-based component of the French Armed Forces and its largest The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale ( National Navy) and often called La Royale ( The Royal Navy) is the maritime arm See Gendarmerie for similar forces in other countries In France, the National Gendarmerie (Gendarmerie Nationale is the national Rank insignia in the French army except for general officers depends on whether the soldier belongs to a "foot arm" or a "horse arm" The rank Insignia of the French Navy ( French: Marine Nationale) are worn on shoulder straps of shirts and white jackets The military history of France encompasses an immense panorama of conflicts and struggles extending for more than 2000 years across areas including modern France, greater This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1909: Events Fort Omaha Balloon School becomes the first United States Army This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1933: Events January January 16 - Jean Mermoz and crew make This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. The Minister of Defence ( Ministère de la Défense) is the French Government cabinet member charged with running the Military of France French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people An air force, also known in some countries as an air army or historically an army air corps, is in the broadest sense the national military or armed service The Military of France encompasses an army, a navy, an air force and a military police force. Formed in 1909 as the Service Aéronautique, it is the world’s oldest military air service. Year 1909 ( MCMIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting

Contents

General

The organization of the ALA is based on having complete control of air operations and on flexibility in execution, both in peacetime and at war. As most modern defence organizations at the moment (2007) the ALA is busy reorganizing itself (see Future).

Current status

From this point of view, the ALA is still organized into 3 levels:

Central Command

General Stéphane Abrial, chief of staff
General Stéphane Abrial, chief of staff

The President of France, currently Mr. The President of the French Republic (Président de la République française colloquially referred to in English as the President of France, is France 's elected Sarkozy, is Chief of the armed forces. Nicolas Sarkozy (pronounced, He is 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. The Prime Minister of France ( Premier ministre français) in Fifth Republic is the functional Head of the government and Council of Ministers The Minister of Defence ( Ministère de la Défense) is the French Government cabinet member charged with running the Military of France

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. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. 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 ASMP stand-off missile and a squadron of C-135FR in-flight refuelling tankers at its disposal to carry out their missions. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The commanding CFAS general is still 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

All over its airbases on the European continent and abroad the CFA counts 16000 personnel (male/female), 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 organization.

CDAOA, based in Paris and Lyon, plans and executes all air operations. Lots of 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 took over lots of 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 to keep them on a satisfying level 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.

Airbase Command

The air base command levels are the combat assets of the ALA, whose operational activity never cease. 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 defense radar systems. The French air defence organization is integrated in the military Armée de l’Air (ALA the French Air Force. It is supported by bases, which are supervised and maintained by staff, centres of operations, warehouses, workshops, and schools.

The bases are organized for flexibility and rapid response. Both in France and abroad, bases have almost similar infrastructure to provide standardized 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. It ensures the defence of French interests. On average, a base platform, made up of about 1500 personnel (nearly 3500 people including family), provides a yearly economic boost of about 60 million euros. Consequently, determining the sites for air bases constitutes a major part of regional planning.

Bases

Main article: List of French Air Force bases

Northern region

BA117 Paris, HQ of the French Air Force
BA117 Paris, HQ of the French Air Force

Southern Region

Overseas

History

Main articles: History of the Armée de l'Air (1909-1942), Free French Air Force, Vichy French Air Force, and History of the Armée de l'Air (colonial presence 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 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.
The first use of a roundel on military aircraft was during the First World War by the French Air Force. The Free French Air Force (Forces Aériennes Françaises Libres FAFL were the air arm of Free French Forces during the Second World War. The Vichy French Air Force (Armée de l'Air de Vichy was the aerial branch of the armed forces of Vichy France. A roundel in Heraldry is any circular shape in military use it is an Emblem of nationality employed on military aircraft and air force flags generally round and World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All It consisted of a blue-white-red design mirroring the traditional French cockade. A cockade is a knot of ribbons or other circular- or oval-shaped symbol of distinctive colors which is usually worn on a Hat. 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. The Royal Flying Corps (RFC was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. For other meanings please see Iron Cross (disambiguation The Iron Cross ( was a Military decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia

Many consider the Armée de l'Air to have been the first professional air force in the world. An air force, also known in some countries as an air army or historically an army air corps, is in the broadest sense the national military or armed service The French took active interest in developing the air force from 1909 and had the first WWI fighter pilots. Year 1909 ( MCMIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting 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. ( German 'luftvafe is a generic German term for an Air force. In World War II, the Battle of France, also known as the Fall of France, was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries

In the post–WWII era, the French made a concerted and successful effort to develop a home grown aircraft industry. Dassault Aviation led the way with unique and effective delta-wing designs, which formed the basis for the Mirage series of jet fighters. Dassault Aviation is a French aircraft manufacturer of military, regional and business jets, a subsidiary of The delta wing is a Wing Planform in the form of a triangle named after the Greek uppercase delta which is a triangle (Δ WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout A fighter aircraft is a Military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other Aircraft, as opposed to a Bomber, which is designed 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. Background Suez Crisis aftermath The Suez Crisis of 1956 represented a military defeat but a political victory for Egypt 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. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Saint-Dizier is a town and commune in the Haute-Marne department in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France.

Aircraft inventory

The French Air Force operates a wide-ranging fleet of aircraft, fighters, transport aircraft, passenger transport and helicopters. It currently maintains some 560 aircraft. 150 comprise the air mobility force (CFAP) and include aircraft such as C-160 and the C-130 Hercules. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The CFAP also includes 80 helicopters like the Super Puma and the Ecureuil. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 330 fighter aircraft are incorporated into 19 squadrons with different missions. Finally, the French Air Force has a fleet of aircraft, including Alpha Jet, Xingu, Epsilon, and Tucano, to meet training requirements. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout These air assets are supported by ground units and a sophisticated infrastructure. [1]

The Air 2010 concept allows for 300 fighters, mainly composed of the new generation multirole combat airplane Rafale. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

Mirage 2000 aircraft
Mirage 2000 aircraft
Rafale aircraft
Rafale aircraft
Alpha Jet aircraft
Alpha Jet aircraft
Transall C-160 transport aircraft
Transall C-160 transport aircraft
Cougar helicopter
Cougar helicopter
Fennec helicopter
Fennec helicopter
AircraftOriginTypeVersionsIn service[2]Service entry[3]Note
Aérospatiale SA 330 PumaFlag of France FranceSAR
transport helicopter		SA 330291974
Airbus A310Flag of France Francetactical transportA310-30031994
Airbus A319Flag of Germany GermanyVIP transportA319 ACJ22002
Airbus A340Flag of France Francetactical transport22006
Boeing KC-135 StratotankerFlag of the United States United StatesrefuellingC-135FR141985
Boeing E-3 SentryFlag of the United States United Statesairborne early warningE-3F41991
CASA CN-235Flag of Spain Spaintactical transportCN-235-200
CN-235-200M		8
11		1991
Dassault Falcon 50Flag of France FranceVIP transportMystère 5031979
Dassault Falcon 900Flag of France FranceVIP transportFalcon 90021987
Dassault Mirage 2000Flag of France Francemultirole
trainer
strike
nuclear strike
AD
AD		total Mirage 2000
Mirage 2000B
Mirage 2000D
Mirage 2000N
Mirage 2000C
Mirage 2000-5		266
27
90
50
62
37		1983
1983
1983
1993
1988
1999
Dassault Mirage F1Flag of France Franceclose air support
case/trainer
reconnaissance
case		total Mirage F1
Mirage F1B
Mirage F1CR
Mirage F1CT		109
14
40
55		1980
1980
1983
1990
Dassault RafaleFlag of France Francemultirole
multirole		Rafale B
Rafale C		25[4]
7[5]		2006Rafale M only operated by French Navy
Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha JetFlag of France FrancetrainerAlpha Jet E991979
de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin OtterFlag of Canada Canadautility transport61978
Embraer EMB 121 XinguFlag of Brazil Braziltrainer351982
Embraer EMB 312 TucanoFlag of Brazil Braziltrainer471993
Eurocopter AS 532 CougarFlag of France Francetransporttotal Cougar
AS 332C
AS 332L
AS 532
EC 725		11
3
3
2
3		1980
Eurocopter AS 355 EcureuilFlag of France FranceutilityAS 35551984
Eurocopter AS 555 FennecFlag of France FranceutilityAS 555AN431986
Grob G-120Flag of Germany GermanytrainerG120A-F2 (16 more to be delivered)2007"
Jodel D-140Flag of France Francetrainer1966
Lockheed C-130 HerculesFlag of the United States United Statestactical transportC-130H
C-130H-30		5
9		1987
1988
Mudry CAP 10Flag of France FrancetrainerCAP 10B7phased out[6]
Socata TBFlag of France FrancetrainerTB 30 Epsilon901985
Socata TBMFlag of France Franceliaison transportTBM 700171992
Transall C-160Flag of France Francetest flying
ELINT
tactical transport		C-160F
C-160G Gabriel
C-160NG		1
2
55[7]		1967
1989
1982

Future

Like most modern defense organizations the French air force is reorganizing its commands, units and assets. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The Eurocopter AS 532 Cougar is a twin-engined medium-weight multipurpose Helicopter. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The United States of America —commonly referred to as the WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The United States of America —commonly referred to as the WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page The Embraer EMB 121 Xingu is a twin- Turboprop Fixed-wing aircraft built by the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer. |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld The Eurocopter AS 532 Cougar is a twin-engined medium-weight multipurpose Helicopter. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Société Avions Jodel is a French aircraft company started by Édouard Joly and his son-in-law Jean Délémontez. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The Mudry CAP 10 is a two-seat training aerobatic aircraft first built in 1970 and still in production in 2007 This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. The Socata TB aircraft series are light single engine piston aircraft manufactured by Socata and designed in the late 1970s This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. This project to streamline the forces is called Air 2010, which is the year of the deadline of 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 rationalize and optimize all air force units.

The solution to reach these aims seems to be changing the organization into 5 major commands, instead of the former 13, and to disband several commands and units. These are the future air force commands.

References

  1. ^ Armée de l'Air
  2. ^ French military aviation OrBat
  3. ^ "Les aéronefs", Armée de l'air.
  4. ^ French military aviation OrBat
  5. ^ French military aviation OrBat
  6. ^ French military aviation OrBat
  7. ^ French military aviation OrBat

External links

The Senate (Sénat is the Upper house of the Parliament of France, presided over by a president.
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