English translation by Dario Cocco
The “Armée de l'Air”, as an established practice, organizes in rotation on its air bases some "Meeting Aérienne", on June 18th and 18th 2011 was the turn of the airbase of Saint Dizier Robinson (BA 113) located in the northern part of the country not far from the Belgian border, one of the most important transalpine Air Force bases; the event was also marked by celebrations for the 60th anniversary of its establishment.
As usual since many years in France, the Friday before the event is dedicated to the spotters, who are offered the chance to witness the arrival of aircraft and rehearsals.
Among the aircraft present stood two Rafales from EC1/7 Provence decorated with an sober but smart livery, to highlight the achievement of thirty thousand hours of flight of the fleet. On the tail the silhouette of the Little Prince was painted in memory of Antoine de Saint Exupery to which the 113th base Aerienne is entitled, and with where he served between 1939 and 1940.
At the entrance of the airport has been an interesting corner had been set up to commemorate the historic-modern aircraft that have operated on the base including an F 84F, a Mirage IV, two Jaguars and a brand new Rafale, the last to be delivered.
By the front part the static display was set up complete with several different versions of French Mirages, two Singapore Air Force Skyhawks, an F 2000A from 4th Stormo of Italian Air Force, a Polish SU 22, a brand new Czech Republic Casa C295M plus many others.
The flight display was particularly spectacular, besides the hosting Rafales took part to the show two Mirages 2000N, a Swiss F 18, a Belgian F-16 "Display Only" and two British Tornadoes that simulated an attack on the airport.
The aerobatic teams present, beside the the Patrouille de France, were the Red Arrows and the Breitling Eagles.
All in all a show that deserved to be seen despite the unfavorable weather conditions.
Images and text by Lucio Polo
Produced by Giorgio e Aldo Ciarini
June 2011
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