EMS 2001 Cazaux 20010920
Static Show
Flightline
Transport
Taxiing out
Range
Taxiing back
Visitors
Locals
List of participating aircraft
Route flown
Taxiing out
The afternoon showed an impressive line of armed aircraft taxiing out to the runway.
Range
After lunch all aircraft taxied with full armament to the runway and took off.
They formed their formations and started the 30 minute exhibition of the
concepts.
The demonstrated concepts at the range consisted of:
- A peculiar formation of a French C-135F (with a basket!) and 3 Belgium F-16's
- A pre-strike ELINT flight of a C-160 Gabriel
- Rocket attacks by Jaguars and Mirages
- Strafing attacks by F-16's and Mirages
- Bombing attacks by Mirages, F-16's and Tornado's
- Post-strike reconnaisance by Mirages
These attacks demonstrated the concepts of SAM suppression, Fighter protection
and Close Air Support.
At a distance of some 500 meters, the sights/sounds/vibrations of exploding
bombs and
rockets and the strafing were very impressive.
Following the demonstrations all aircraft returned safely to the base.
Fortunatley, the nuclear strike was not demonstrated that day.............
Strange artefact is a French C-135 (with hose-and-drogue system) flying in formation with 3 F-16's that
are only capable of boom refuelling....... This kind of AAR will never occur.
Taxiing back
After the bombing missions, the planes taxied back. Not all the bombs and rockets were released.
Locals
The local AlphaJets were lined up at their normal line.
Route
Besides the 400 military invitees, some 40 media invitees participated on the 2 day trip. The trip for the media was organised by the French Air Force Public Affairs Department (SIRPA.AIR), flying their 'own' CN235.
With busses all invitees and media were driven from Paris to BA Orleans. After
the CFAP demonstration and a good diner everybody was flown to Cazaux in
C160's,
C-130's and CN235's. Arriving at the hotel at Cazaux after midnight.
The next
morning the CFAC ground exhibition, a good lunch at noon and the CFAC live
demonstration
at the range were followed by a flight to Villacoublay. Where busses were
present
to bring everybody back to Paris.
| Location | BA | ICAO | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | BA 117 | Near la porte de Sèvres | |
| Villacoublay | BA 107 | LFPV | |
| Orleans | BA 123 | LFOJ | CFAP exhibition |
| Cazaux | BA 120 | LFBC | CFAC exhibition |
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