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Nearly 120,000 people gathered on the 701 Air Base Salon-de-Provence to celebrate with family, the 60 years of the Patrouille de France (PAF) on Sunday 26th May 2013. With flawless organization, airmen were able to demonstrate the extent of their knowledge. |
| The actual festivities had started on Saturday, a day dedicated to former PAF aerobatic team pilots and their families. Many guests, as well as major sponsors of the event were also present, along with several senior civilian and military authorities. "The Patrouille de France is a legend, and is one of our national mythology" said Defence Minister, Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian. “For 60 years, it is a symbol of excellence and professionalism of the Air Force. This image will be perpetuated.” This is a good thing, as many nations are cutting back on their demonstration teams.
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| Throughout the prior week dozens of aircraft were assembled on the tarmac at the air base
Salon-de-Provence. In addition to the inevitable Patrouille de France, all presenters of the Air Force were present: Rafale Solo Display, Equipe de Voltige Aerobatic team (EVAA), Ramex Delta, Patrol Cartouche Doré, Paratroopers, Caracal Demo Team.
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To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the PAF, several major European demonstration team attended with their thrilling performances:
Red Devils
from Belgium,
Red Arrows
from the UK,
Team Iskra
from Poland,
Patrulla Aguila
from Spain,
Patrouille Suisse
from Switzerland, F-16 Solo from Belgium and
Frecce Tricolori
from Italy. |
| The weather was changing a lot from sunny to dark clouds and to rain.
Due to the weather the Polish Iskras didn't fly on Saturday. The Ramex Delta Tactical Demonstration Team flew in heavy rain on Saturday! Sunday was better weather wise. On Sunday the flying program started at 10:15 am with a parachute demonstration, followed by an aerobatic glider, EVAA solo with the Xtra-300, EC725 Carachal demo with elite Army unit, Red Devils, Red Arroe, a solo Fouga Magister,
Cartouche Doré with their TB-30 Epsilon
followed by a lunch break. After lunch at 14:05 the first two act from the morning, followed by the Delta Ramex, Team Iskra,
Patrulla Aguila,
F 16 Solo,
EVAA
with two Xtra 300,
Fly by of the A400M,
Patrouille Suisse,
Rafale Solo,
Frecce Tricolori
and finally to wrap up the program the
Patrouille de France
it is the world's oldest and one of the most skilled demonstration teams. There were several aircraft on display from the French Air Force. |
| Over all it was an excellent show if we take the weather out of it. ASR Media would like to thank Capitaine Christèle Chevalier, Chief of the Media Office, BA 701, for her generous cooperation, hospitality and friendliness. |
Some of the performers included:
- Patrouille de France (8) Alpha Jet
- Ramex Delta - (2) Mirages 2000N
- Aerobatic EVAA - (2) Xtra 300
- Cartouche Doré - (3 ) TB-30 Epsilon
- Eurocopter EC 725 Caracal demo
- Rafale Solo display
- Fouga Magister Solo display
- Red Devils (4) SF 260 (Belgium)
- Red Arrows (9) BAE Hawk T-1 (Great Britain)
- Team Iskra (4) TS 11 (Poland)
- Patrulla Aguila (7) Casa C-101 Aviojet (Spain)
- F 16 Solo (Belgium)
- Patrouille Suisse (7) F5E Tiger II (Switzerland)
- Frecce Tricolori (9) MB 339 (Italy)
- Airbus A400M
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Rating: 9 out of 10 |
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