Bastille Day 2024 with the Armée de Terre aircraft at Chartres airport

The Armée de Terre launched their Bastille Day Défile aircraft from Chartres airport, and from there, they joined the 2024 flypast over Paris. As I have said, the 2024 flypast was different, and the aircraft flew along Avenue Foch due to the preparations for the Olympic Games. 

Below is a record of the preparation and launch on Sunday morning, July 14th, which coincided with Bastille Day.

5593/AYM AS555UN EALAT Armée de Terre.

An early Sunday morning, July 14th, arrival at Chartres airport.

5544/AYM AS555UN EALAT Armée de Terre.

Our Lady of Chartres Cathedral dominates the backdrop.

5544/AYM AS555UN EALAT Armée de Terre.

Three NH90-TTH and three Tigre HAPs are lined up South of the runway.

2027/BHS Tigre HAP from 5 RHC.

887/MCA and 891/MCE PC6/B2-H4S beyond.

As the launch time approaches, all engines are started, including the air spares for all types. The first Vanguard is the PC6s, heading for the runway.

5544/AYJ AS555UN awaits departure.

2027/BHS Tigre HAP from 5RHC running up with 1482/ECB NH90-TTH from 3RHC.

887/MCA PC6/B2-H4 from the ETCM.

891/MCE PC6/B2-H4 from the ETCM.

F-HBKR/R EC120B Colibri from Helidax at Dax.

5527/AYE AS555UN EALAT also in the first Vanguard.

F-HBKT/T EC120B heading for the runway.

5544/AYJ AS555UN.

1482/ECB NH90-TTH Anniversary marks.

1482/ECB NH90-TTH landing on the Southside.

887/MCA PC6 holds at the runway.

MCE prepares to roll.

1528/ECJ NH90-TTH prepares to join the second Vanguard.

1485/ECE, NH90-TTH lifts.

6005/BJE Tigre HAP 5 RHC will lead the heavies.

It's getting congested. 

1485/ECE ready to depart.

2443/CGW AS532UL departs Northside parking to bring up the rear of the Armée de Terre aircraft participating in the 2024 Bastille Day flypast.

The second wave is away.

Turning East for Paris.

Heading for the Avenue Foch, Paris.

Use the link to see the fixed-wing section of the flypast, which was practised at Bricy Airbase earlier in July.

https://legendarymilavia.blogspot.com/2024/07/paris-2024-defile-flypast-what-to-expect.html

Great weather made for some Happy memories.

Exercise "Orion 23" hosts Indian Airforce Rafale fighter jets at BA118 Mont de Marsan full photo report.

Exercise Orion 23 is reportedly the most prominent multinational exercise undertaken by the French armed forces. It has been in the planning since 2021 and involved thousands of French troops, supplemented by troops and aircraft from Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

Stage four of the exercise saw the Air Force flying against the hostile forces known as "Mecure". The primary fighter response came from Base Arriene Mont-de-Marsan. It included the Indian Air Force with four French-built Rafales alongside the Hellenic Air Force's Mirage 2000s, a mix of home-based Rafales and Mirage 2000s, and four Rafale jets based in St-Dizier. Stage four of this multinational exercise, which took place from April 17 to May 5, 2023, was interesting.

Following my visit to Cobra Warrior on January 23, I looked forward to the warm sunshine in the Southwest of France. Unfortunately, things only got worse with three days of continuous drizzle and heavy rain before I threw in the towel (quite literally).

RB 001 Rafale DH from 17 Sqn "Golden Arrows" is based at Ambala Air Force Station, India.

The Indian Air Force (Bharatiya Vayu Sena) F3 line Rafales have been given fourteen specific upgrades, which include a viewing helmet and a towable anti-missile decoy.

RB 001 Rafale DH Indian Air Force.

The four Rafale DHs of the Bharatiya Vayu Sena arrived at Mont de Marsan from India via a stopover in Egypt. They were accompanied by two Boeing C-17 transport aircraft and two support IL-78 tankers, both of which returned to Egypt without landing in France.

RB 002 Rafale DH from 17Sqn "Golden Arrows" Ambala AFS India. 

RB 007 Rafale DH lands back at Mont de Marsan, Southwest France.

RB 005 Rafale DH 17 Sqn "Golden Arrows" 

RB 005 Rafale DH 17 Sqn "Golden Arrows" landing at Mont de Marsan in the awful weather.

In fact, it was the worst weather I had photographed since the Defence Week at Landivisau years ago, when the Italian F-16s took part in the Defence Week exercise.

309/30-HB Rafale B ECE01.303 Special colours CEAM Tail.

Mixed launches of French and Indian Rafales.

179/30-GH Rafale C EC02.030 'Normandie-Niemen' SPA91 'Aigle à tête de mort' AdlA.

359/30-FZ Rafale B EC03.030 AdlA.

148/30-VA Rafale C AdlA.

318/30-HM Rafale B AdlA

104/30-HH Rafale C EC03.030 'Lorraine' SPA162 'Tête de tigre' AdlA.

309/30-HB Rafale B ECE01.303 'Côte de Argent' 90 years Special colours. 

CEAM Centre d'Expertise Ariens Militaires (Air Warfare Centre).

Thunder over Mont de Marsan.

146/30-GY Rafale C ECE01.303 'Côte d'Argent' BR128 'Le Scarabée blanc' AdlA.

552 Mirage 2000-5EG 331Mira HAF.

552 Mirage 2000-5EG.

The Hellenic Air Force (Elliniki Polemiki Aeroporia) contingent consisted of three Mirage 2000-5EGs (549, 552, and 553) and one Mirage 2000BG (506).

 

506 Mirage 2000BG  331 Mira with their discreet blue and white chequered fin marking.

639/3-JJ Mirage 2000D RMV EC02.003 'Campagne' SPA67 'Cicogne de Navarre' AdlA.

 

622/30-IL Mirage 2000D RMV.

622/30-IL Mirage 2000D RMV.

341/4-FH Rafale B EC01.004 'Gascogne' BR66 'Faucon d'Égyptien' AdlA.

344/4-FK Rafale B EC01.004 'Gascogne' SPA37 'Charnognard' AdlA.

327/4-HZ Rafale B 'Gascogne' SPA37 'Charnognard' AdlA.

355/4-FV Rafale B EC01.004 'Gascogne' is still wearing "Casque de bayarol' Sqn Marks.

2626/SD EC725R2 from EH01.067 'Pyrénées'from BA120 at Cazaux.

3455/VT AS555AN EH03.067 'Parisis' from BA107 Villacoublay.

78/XE TBM-7000A 'CEAM' named 'Daligaunobile' lands at Mont de Marsan. 

RB002 Rafale DH Indian Air Force landed at BA118 just after midday on my third day.

After three days of rain, I am heading home.

Happy "Damp" Days!