Exercise 'Volfa' 2025 kicked off at Base Aérienne BA118 Mont-de-Marsan on the 22nd September until 10th October. Fifty aircraft and multiple crews joined the exercise. For the fighter jets, coming from numerous French bases and the Greek and Italian Air Forces, all were based at Mont-de-Marsan. The transport aircraft were assembled at Base Aérienne 123 Orléans-Bricy; they included aircraft from the Air Forces of Canada and the UK, as well as the helicopter element based at Cazaux.
This annual French Exercise is a test of operational readiness. I visited Mont-de-Marsan, where the French, Greek, and Italian air forces were simulating up to 20 complex air raids, both day and night, across a full spectrum of air operations, including air superiority and reconnaissance missions, in a high-intensity warfare environment. Sadly, the weather was not at its best, but one has to take the opportunities as they come.
EXERCISE VOLFA 2025.
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The objective: to demonstrate mastery of
tactical know-how, strengthen the preparation of forces and affirm air superiority.
The light is terrible, but it is worth the memories:
Mirage 2000-5F 41 2-FZ from
GC01.002 at
Luxeuil reheats out of M de M. Three Mirage 2000-5F are deployed here for Volfa 25, the other two being 54 2-EZ and 47 2-EP.
47 2-EP Mirage 2000-5D heading for
TRA43, an airspace reserved for military operations.
Mirage 2000D 637 3-XQ leads, followed by 606 3-JC, 626 3-IC and 615 3-JY, all from EC03.003 at
Nancy-Ochey.
By the time the sun is up, some aircraft are returning.
MM7024 6-50 Tornado ECR MLU Itaf coming from GEA 6° Stormo at Ghedi.
MM7036 6-06 Tornado ECR MLU Itaf also coming from GEA 6° Stormo.
Greek F-16CG's tactical landing.
337 Mira 'Fanasma' Hellinic Air Force.
510 F-16CG 337 Mira named 'Fanasma' (Ghost) HAF, their home base being
Larissa in Greece.
518 F-16CG 337 Mira HAF.
610 F-16DG 337 Mira HAF.
Three Mont de Marsan Rafales break for landing.
5-VF Rafale C EC01.005 AdlA.
329 4-ID Rafale B EC02.004 SPA167 'Cigogne de Romanet' from
Saint-Dizier.
328 4-IC EC01.004 SAL 28 'Éléphant' from St Dizier.
9 Rafale M 12F French Marine.
32 Rafale M from ETR03.004 at St Dizier.
Mirage 2000-5Fs returning to MdM.
54 2-EZ Mirage 2000-5F EC01.002 SPA73 'Cigogne Japonaise'.
47 2-EZ Mirage 2000-5F AdlA from Luxeuil.
Mirage 200D's tactical break for landing.
606 3-JC Mirage2000D RMV EC03.003 from Nancy-Ochey.
637 3-XQ Mirage 2000D RMV EC003.003 AdlA.
626 3-IC Mirage 2000D EC02.003 AdlA.
615 3-JY Mirage 2000D RMV EC002.003 AdlA.
Arriving at MdM from Cazaux.
5393/VC
AS555AN EH01.015 'Alphilles' from BA115 at Orange.
