FAF in Africa
I think if you do a little bit of digging that you will find that the Aeronavale (for it is they who operate the Atlantique 2) has spent a great deal of time in Africa; even from the days of the Atlantique 1. During the Rwanda crisis I remember seeing a news clip of French Paras going into somewhere or other and on the far side of the tactical Transall was an Atlantique. Doing what? I have my thoughts but I suggest you try and ask them.
The Ancient Mariner