The Meeting de l'Air at the French Air Force Base Aérienne 116 Luxeuil-les-Bains was the last of only three French Air Force air shows in the 2015 season. The other two were at the Base Aérienne 126 Solenzara, island of Corsica and at the Base Aérienne 705 Tours. Luxeuil is one of the oldest air bases in France, located in the north-eastern part of France. Its origins date back to WW I. From 1966 until 2011 the air base was part of the Force de Frappe (nuclear deterrence Force) operating aircraft that could fly conventional strike and nuclear missions with the Mirage IIIE, Mirage IV and Mirage 2000 N. Today it is home to the Groupe de chasse 01.002 Cigognes, flying the Mirage 2000-5F.

It's show time! Some 40.000 visitors were presented an excellent mixture of warbirds and active military aircraft, along with three of the world's top aerobatic jet teams. The eight hours non-stop flying program started at 10 a.m. on both days. The French Air Force impressively demonstrated the capabilities of their French-made fighters. The pilot of a Rafale C showed what a modern fighter is capable of - tight turns with high g-loads, incredible climb rates and very fast acceleration/deceleration. Two Mirages 2000-5F, based at Luxeuil demonstrated the interception of a single engine propeller aircraft and showed the low-speed flying performance of the Mirage. The tactical demo of the Ramex Delta team with its two Mirage 2000N gave an excellent impression of the capabilities of the aircraft and the maneuvers used when operating in challenging combat environments. The loudest part of the air show was the display of a Swiss Air Force F/A-18C. It was amazing to see how this aircraft, designed almost 40 years ago, still performs these days.

Another highlight was when one of the few EC725 R2 Caracal the French Air Force Special Operations Command has in its inventory demonstrated a fast rope insertion of a special forces unit and their extraction in a hostile environment.

No big air show without aerobatic teams. Flying on both days were the French Patrouille de France with Alpha Jet and the Cartouche Doré with TB-30 and from Italy the Frecce Tricolori, celebrating their 55th anniversary this year. One of their MB.339, the aircraft of the Commander, was given the celebratory number #55. The Red Arrows flew their display on Sunday only.

Not flying, but part of the static display were two A-10C of the 354th Fighter Squadron from Davis-Monthan AFB. They are assigned to the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and deployed to Eastern European NATO countries as part of a theater security package. Other also rarely seen aircraft were a Sukhoi Su-22 and a Mil Mi-24 from the Polish Air Force, the Slovakian Air Force sent a Let-410 and a Mig-29AS.

crew would like to thank the organizers and all men and women who helped to have more than hundred aircraft present and two days of flying activity.

.

A-10C of the 354th Fighter Squadron from Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona

Sukhoi Su-22, Polish AF

Mil Mi-24, Polish AF

Let-410, Slovak AF

Mig-29AS, Slovak AF

Tornado ECR. Geraman AF

PC-7 - RNethAF

F-16AMBelgian AF and many more...