The "Neu-Neu" will be back soon

"Neu-Neu" is the nickname of a legendary French squadron, the "Normandie-Niemen" :


In 1942, during World War II, after an initiative by the General De Gaulle, some French entered the Resistance, while others moved to UK, Nothern Africa, Middle East, and Soviet Union so as to fight the Nazis.

Upon those people, some founded the squadron "Normandie" in Libanon. The "Normandie" was then moved to the Ivanoso airfield (250km North East of Moscow) and started its epic battle against the Luftwaffe in 1943, operating the Yak 3 among other types.


They rapidly became famous, decorated by both France and Soviet Union. Staline himself, in July 1944 added "Niemen" to "Normandie" after the name of a river and its associated battle. During the war, the Normandie-Niemen flew 5240 missions, and got 273 confirmed air victories with 36 probable.


After WWII, the "Normandie-Niemen" flew over Indochina, Algeria, Rwando, Bosnia, Serbia...

It was put on standby in July 2009, waiting to be reactivated in 2012 with brand new Rafale F3.

The time has come. The first spotted Rafale F3 flying the legendary Normandie-Niemen insignia is the C129. It left Mont de Marsan on Thursday, 25th of August 2011.


Picture 1 from ECPAD website
Picture 2 from http://normandieniemen.free.fr

Edit : while waiting for the first 02.030 Rafale picture, here are some nice patches seen on a Normandie-Niemen pilot at the last Saint Dizier Airshow

Maks 2011, Rafale solo display

It is also worth noting that this is the first Air Show of the Sukhoi T-50.

Lybia, sortie rate decreases

Since the Charles de Gaulle is not taking part in the no flight zone effort anymore, the French Forces sortie rate has decreased significantly  during the last week.
Without the 10 Rafale M of the aircraft carrier, only 5 French Air Force Rafale B/C are still involved in Libya from the Sigonella Air Base. (let's not forget that 3 other Rafale B/C have also been deployed in Afghanistan)

Looking at the stats, le number of CAS/Interdiction sortie has only slightly decreased (-8%) during the last week, however, the number of reconnaissance sortie has fallen by 30%

source : http://www.defense.gouv.fr/

Reco-NG pod being installed on a Rafale C

Switzerland may take a decision sooner

© KEYSTONE

Due to a very favourable exchange rate between Swiss Franc and Euro, right now, each fighter considered by Switzerland is less expensive.

In an interview given to the "SonntagsBlick" Euli Maurer, suggest that the DDPS benefits from this situation.

"If the Euro remains weak, we save tens of millions."

Euro-Swiss Franc exchange rate shows that since the 2008 Swiss Air Force evaluation, the Rafale price has become 30% cheaper (same for the Gripen and Eurofighter)
Given an hypothetical Rafale unit price of €70million, the Swiss government would save almost CHF 500 million for a fleet of 22 aircrafts.

A new commander for the BA113

Since July 8th, the Colonel Jean-Pierre Montegu is the new commander of the Saint Dizier French Air force Base (BA113), replacing Colonel Friedling.

Lieutenant-colonel Cedric Gaudilliere is also replacing Lieutenant-colonel Sebastien Michel at the head of the Rafale fighter squadron 01.091 "Gascogne"






Several Rafale squadron's officers were also decorated during the ceremony.

Knight of the Legion of Honor :
Lieutenant-colonel Laurent Royer  (Rafale transformation squadron 02.092 "Aquitaine")
Captain Frederic Dot (Rafale transformation squadron 02.092 "Aquitaine")
Lieutenant-colonel Cedric Gaudilliere (Rafale fighter squadron 01.091 "Gascogne")
Captain Florent Gervais (Rafale fighter squadron 01.091 "Gascogne")

War medal :
Adjudent-chef Pascal  Decalonne (Rafale fighter squadron 01.091 "Gascogne")

Source : http://www.ba113.air.defense.gouv.fr

Libya, the CdG is back at home

©French Navy - PM Stephane Dzioba

Friday August 12th, 4:15 pm, the Charles de Gaulle is making the last maneuvers in the Toulon port. The French aircraft carrier will rest reveral months in order to get the required maintenance work after almost 9 month at sea.
The crew was welcome by the French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Defense Minister Gerard longuet


The stats of the air group (10 Rafale, 6 Super Etendard, 2 hawkeye and Pedro helicopters) are impressive.

Since March 20th when it was engaged in the Libyan operations the CdG has logged  :

• 138 days at sea (4,5 months) with a non stop period of 63 sailing days
• 40.000 nautic miles (more than 70,000 km, almost twice the earth circonference)
• 120 days of aeraonautical activities
• 1590 sorties (13.25 sorties each day)
• ground attack : 840 (Rafale and Super Etendard)
• Reconnaissance : 390 (Rafale)
• Air refueling : 240 (Rafale)
• AEW : 120 (E-2C Hawkeye)
  
• 2380 catapult launch and carrier landings
• 3600 flight hours

Sources :
http://www.defense.gouv.fr/
http://lemamouth.blogspot.com/

Video, nice Rafale clip by swolfpl640