In Salon-de-Provence, the Patrouille de France celebrates its 70th anniversary

Always adorned with blue, white and red, the Patrouille de France celebrated its 70th anniversary. © Philippe Lecaplain / RFI

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9 min

Always dashing, with its brilliant blue, white and red planes, the Patrouille de France celebrated its 21th anniversary on Sunday 70 May in flight over its base in Salon-de-Provence in the Bouches-du-Rhône, in front of thousands of enthusiastic spectators.

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With our special envoy in Salon-de-Provence, Philippe Lecaplain

No less than 80,000 people came to Salon-de-Provence to greet those that connoisseurs call the PAF, for Patrouille acrobatique de France. Fanatics, spotters [informed photographers, editor's note], former mechanics of the Patrol or ex-pilots, some of whom ended their careers as Chief of Staff of the Air Force.

There are mostly families. They have their eyes turned to the sky. Many children that planes still make dream despite the criticism that aviation faces for its carbon footprint.

Also in the crowd is 4-star General Philippe Morales who commanded the PAF in 1998. At the microphone of RFI, he recalls the technicality, the flights in tight patrol, the particular formations.

During the first flight as a leader, you feel the weight of responsibilities on your shoulders and managing this patrol that blindly follows you are strong memories that you have...

General 4 stars Philippe Morales: "We are always marked by memories..."

Philippe Lecaplain

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Patrols from abroad to celebrate 70 years

The highlight of the show is undoubtedly the formation composed of an A400 M, closely followed by the Alphajets of the PAF, a Rafale, while behind them, at the bottom, two planes draw a giant 7 and 0.

To blow out the 70 candles of the birthday cake, many acrobatic patrols made the trip: the Saudi Hawks from Saudi Arabia and that we rarely see in Europe present their green and white smoke. There are also the Spaniards of the ASPA, the Croats of Wing of Storm, the Slovenians, the Greeks and the Swiss.

Bringing together patrols around their common ✨

passion The @saudihawks did us the honor of responding to our invitation, and for their 1st deployment in France, we are very happy to have been able to make a joint flight with these airmen 🇸🇦 @Armee_de_lair pic.twitter.com/LkZwIkiz2k

— Patrouille de France (@PAFofficiel) May 18, 2023

Whatever their nationality, all these drivers share the same values: passion, rigor and high standards. Enough to create vocations, because the Air Force offers 4,000 positions in 50 different professions.

► Also listen: Confession of a pilot of the Patrouille de France

Thrills with the scavenger of the Acrobatic Patrol of France

These formation flights are an experience to live and not just seen from the ground. RFI had, in fact, the privilege of flying with the Patrouille in plane number four; That of the scavenger, so called because he eats the smoke of the leader who is right in front of him and whom he replaces the following season. "Eating" is the term used because planes are close to each other – about two metres – when they are on tight patrol.

On the ground, it feels like the flight is smooth, but they are constantly moving. It swings, slips, and it takes all the dexterity of the pilots to stay in place. They act on the stick as one does the steering wheel of a car with slight impulse. Except when it comes to abruptly clearing for a burst. In this case, the action is frank as we can see in the movie Top Gun and – because of the load factors, the G's – we feel a lot of pressure. Thrills guaranteed.

Demonstration of the France Patrol in pictures

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• France
• Defense
• Aeronautics