French AF 'escort service'
I don't know whether this has anything to do with this: in early Dec. 2007 we entered French airspace close to Lyon without having given a handover by Swiss Control. After a few unsuccessful attempts to call them on both the previously assigned freq. and on Guard (only one US-aircraft replied, negative ground station...), a target was approaching us from behind while at FL430.
As it came closer, a TCAS-RA was triggered which commanded a descent in excess of 2,000 fpm until reaching FL378 (!). We climbed to FL380 and again tried to call anybody and set A7600. We managed to find a freq. of Marseille Control in the enroute chart who then made us aware of 2 fighter jets that have been sent after us for identification. We could identify 2 targets close by and behind us on the TCAS display - now finally without altitude readout... We never acquired them visually.
What a stunt! French ATC requested a written explanation after we had reached our destination and I filed a report with my national authorities, but haven't heard anything so far.
Does anybody know whether this is considered as being 'normal'?