RAMSTEIN, Germany - On August 10, 2022, the French Air and Space Force launched a large-scale long-range deployment of air assets into the Asian-Pacific region.
The first phase of the deployment - dubbed Henri Brown - began in France on August 10 and ended in New Caledonia on August 12. An air task force consisting of three Rafale fighters, two A330 MRTT Phénix air-to-air refuelling aircraft and two A400M transport aircraft conducted the force projection mission in less than 72 hours.
Our armed forces employ a high level of international cooperation to strengthen France's ties and interoperability with our Allies and Partners worldwide
The second phase of the deployment is the participation of the fighters and an A330 MRTT in the multinational live-fly exercise Pitch Black that the Royal Australian Air Forces hosts in Australia form August 19 to September 8, 2022. A CN-235-200 Casa and two aircrews from the French Joint Forces in New Caledonia will join them. The aim of this three-week multinational exercise is to train aircrews for an initial entry in a hostile environment. Participation will enhance operational readiness and strengthen military cooperation among the ten participating Partner and Allied States.
Three French Rafale fighter aircraft during the deployment move to the Asian Pacific.
Photo by French Air and Space Force.
The support from the A330 MRTT tankers was critical to accomplish the deployment of the force.
Photo by French Air and Space Force.
Two A400M strategic transport aircraft joined the deployment to move cargo and passengers.
Archive photo by French Air and Space Force.
The third phase of the deployment called Pegase will run from September 11 to 18, 2022. The mixed force comprised of 170 personnel will depart from Darwin, Australia, and return to France via stopovers in Indonesia and Singapore for air diplomacy missions, promoting French expertise, and conducting operational cooperation with the local air forces.
"The French armed forces are deployed all over the world and are able to participate in multinational exercises organised by their regional allies," said Major General Stéphane Groën, officer directing the deployment. "To do so, we rely on our force and power projection resources, in particular those of the Air and Space Force, its network of pre-positioned forces, Allies and partners," Major General Groën
added. "Our armed forces employ a high level of international cooperation to strengthen France's ties and interoperability with our Allies and Partners worldwide; at the same time we are committed to peace, security and the principles of freedom of movement," Major General Groën concluded.