Everybody
is friendly ....are we in France,
From 5 to 16 October 2009, the year
Franco-Saudi Green Shield (Bouclier Vert, in French) exercise took place
on the Base Aérienne 102 near Dijon. The Royal Saudi Air Force deployed
for the event five F-15C Eagle and one F-15D Eagle and almost 175
personel from 5 Squadron to the French Air Base, making this the second
deployment of the RSAF to the European Continent. The first beeing the
one to Lossimouth. Totalling nearly 175
people. Support aircraft were located at Istres and making daily visits
to Dijon.
The green shield 2 exercise is a follow up from the first joint exercise
in 2007 when the French air force deployed to Saudi Arabia.
The French Air Force (Armee de l'Air) participated with Escadron de
Chasse 01.002 Cigognes (Storks) and the Alpha Jets of Escadron
d'Entraînement 02.002 "Côte d'Or" (Gold Coast), both based at Dijon.
Other participants were Rafales of EC 01.007 "Provence" based at Saint-Dizier,
an E-3F AWACS of from Avord, that flew from their respective home bases.
An EC725 Caracal, two Gazelles and a Puma were deployed to Dijon.
The objective of Green Flag is to develop
interoperability, compare skills and share working methods of the two
Air Forces. Next to that strengthening the bilateral Franco-Saudi ties
and friendship between the two Nations is also of great importance.
During Green Flag, two missions were planned every day (one in the
morning and afternoon). Two F-15s, two Mirage 2000-5F and Alpha Jets
flew joint missions during the various scenarios. With the Rafales
playing the so called "bad guys". Later in the exercise Combat Search
and Rescue (CSAR) missions were flown where the Mirages and F-15s flew
Combat Air Patrols covering the EC 725 Caracal helicopters who peformed
the actual extraction of the downed pilot(s).
Two air missions were planned every day (one in the morning and
afternoon). The objective of this exercise was to deepen the bilateral
Franco-Saudi ties to strengthen friendship between the two nations to
develop interoperability, compare the skills and share working methods.
It may also be a way for the french to show the potential of the Rafale.
As the Royal Saudi Air Force is looking fore a replacement for its fleet
of F-5 and F-15 aircraft, potential forerunners are the Eurofighter
Typhoon and the Boeing silent Eagle.
Spotting at Dijon has changed, the
police do id checks and even during the check people were allowed to make
pictures from the aircraft. At one point the base security told us to
stop making pictures, because that is forbidden, so we moved from
the fence. This had to due with the visit of Prince Khalid, after the
arrival of his BBJ the base security left and spotting was continued.
Pilots waving friendly, farmers waving friendly, gendarmes friendly
everybody is friendly ....are we in France? The spotting facilities are
great here. It's a shame that this base is closing down very soon.
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