PPRuNe Forums - French Air Strikes Over Mali

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- - French Air Strikes Over Mali (https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/505278-french-air-strikes-over-mali.html)

It seems the french air landed at Kidal, well ahead of the front line.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...v=zo20ZD_6yLQ#!

Gunsights

An overview of the modernized Atlantique (ATL2) ops.
With a bit of a Sentinel on the apron, too.

I believe the Spaniards could also have helped out with airspace/overflight access because in my mind, the bombing of a night club used by US service personnel on (West) German soil could constitute an attack on NATO. Therefore ALL NATO members should pull together & unify. IIRC, the Eldorado Canyon formations had to route way out over the Eastern Atlantic, past Portugal through the Straights of Gib' & onward.

I know Le Frogs would only decide at the time, if they were 'in' or 'out' in the event of a WarPac onslaught as they would only join in if (West) Germany was directly attacked.

In the end it was the same old union taking a much needed stand in the free world's interest while the weak willed European mainlanders were rooted in their ambivalence, apathy & appeasement.

Who would have thought that 30 years after being denied overflight clearance, those same tankers would be bailing out the Cheese Eating Surrender Monkeys?

I heard the US initially asked for cash to provide a C-17

Yup. Initially. For transport and/or tanker capabilities.

Just a little political message, due to France early departure from A-stan, I think.
Was sorted out when French President called US President on the phone. ;)

AZR, I suspect that you hit that nail on the head. ;)

Good to see that the reliable, efficient A310MRTT has been in action in support of FAF aircraft in OP SERVAL:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...pse29430e0.jpg

From Federal Government | Large majority in the German Bundestag approves the Mali mandate :

Quote:

Tanker aircraft for French forces

Another part of the mandate relates to aerial refuelling support for French aircraft. The Bundeswehr has a twin-engine tanker aircraft. The Airbus A310 can carry 60 tonnes of fuel*. This allows it to support international operations around the globe.

German troops are to operate the transport and tanker aircraft from an airbase in Dakar, in neighbouring Senegal.

Tankflugzeuge für französische Streitkräfte

Ein weiterer Aspekt dieses Mandats ist die Hilfe für französische Flugzeuge durch Luftbetankung. Die Bundeswehr verfügt über ein zweistrahliges Tankflugzeug. Der Airbus A310 hat eine Kraftstoffkapazität von 60 Tonnen. Damit können weltweit internationale Operationen mit Tankern unterstützt werden.

Die deutschen Soldaten sollen vom Lufttransportstützpunkt in Dakar/Senegal den fliegerischen Einsatz mit den Transport- und Tankflugzeugen durchführen

(*Actually it has a 72 T capacity)

You know, the more I see and read about that aircraft (the little one, I mean) the more I'm impressed. Although I'm liking the idea of the big one too.

Just received the link to the complete video from the SIRPA (Service d'information et de relations publiques des armées)
Harfang sequence at 3:25, followed at 3:57 by nice close-ups of a Rafale being prepared for ground strikes. Beautiful, even heavily loaded.