French Air Force - Armée de l'Air
Nancy-Ochey Air Base (BA 133)
June 13-14, 2018 |
Couteau Delta are the Mirage 2000D display team for the Armée de l'Air (French Air Force). Couteau Delta are based at BA133 Nancy-Ochey, each display season pilots are selected from one of the three Mirage 2000D squadrons. Couteau Delta were formed after the RAMEX Delta display team flying the Mirage 2000N disbanded at the end of the 2016 display season. The Mirage 2000N was withdrawn from service in September 2017.
During our visit to EC01.003 'Navarre' squadron we were able to photograph their pre-flight planning for a practice display held later that morning. |
Mirage 2000D (613 '3-MO') inscribed 'ESTA Malzéville 10 Ans 2008 to 2018' during practice tactical display. |
Left to right: Pre-display briefing. |
Left to right: Mirage 2000D (613 '3-MO') inscribed 'ESTA Malzéville 10 Ans 2008 to 2018'. L'Escadron du Soutien Technique aéronautique (ESTA) is the technical support squadron of the 3rd Escadre de Chasse supporting Escadrons 1/3 Navarre, 2/3 Champagne, 3/3 Ardennes and 2/7 Argonne. |
ETD 04.003 'Argonne' consists;
1 Esc SPA.31 'Archer',
2 Esc SPA.48 'Coq Chante et Combat'. |
Unmarked Mirage 2000D (613 '3-MO') with aircrew from ETD 04.003 'Argonne'. |
Left to right: Mirage 2000D (613 '3-MO') unmarked but was flying with ETD 04.003 'Argonne'. |
Left to right: Mirage 2000D (630 '3-XD') of ETD 04.003 'Argonne' with SPA.31 'Archer' markings on starboard side of tail and SPA.48 'Coq Chante et Combat' on port side. It is flying with unmarked Mirage 2000D (613 '3-MO'). |
Mirage 2000D (630 '3-XD') of ETD 04.003 'Argonne' with SPA.48 'Coq Chante et Combat' markings on port side. |
EC 03.003 'Ardennes' comprises three Escadrille, their 15 Mirage 2000D-R1 should carry codes in the 3-X? range (previously 133-X?);
1 Esc GC III/3 ‘Hure Barre bleue',
2 Esc GC III/3 ‘Hure Barre rouge',
3 Esc BR.44 ‘Sanglier assis ou Hure Barre verte'. |
Mirage 2000D (670 '3-XF') with EC 03.003 'Ardennes' tail markings. |
Mirage 2000D (670 '3-XF') with EC 03.003 'Ardennes'. |
Mirage 2000D (645 '3-XP') with 1 Esc GC III/3 ‘Hure Barre bleue', EC03.003 'Ardennes'. |
Mirage 2000D (652 '3-XN') with BR.44 ‘Sanglier assis ou Hure Barre verte', EC03.003 'Ardennes'. |