The PAF was formed in 1931 and has been based in Salon-de-Provence about one hour south of Sablet since 1937. There are 8 jets in the Patrouille de France and the team did fly-overs several days this week. I never got my camera up fast enough to capture them when the full squadron of 8 jets were in formation. Maybe next time.
The PAF trains periodically in the sky over the Aerodrome of Plan-du-Dieu and the surrounding countryside causing a little excitement for us in the sky over Sablet from time to time. I guess the Sabletains see them often enough that they don't even look up when they are flying over.
The PAF currently fly Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jets, a light attack jet and advanced training aircraft. Each aircraft is painted blue-white-red with the gun placement replaced with a smoke generator. During one of the training sessions this week, they did aerobatics and released red, white and blue smoke streams behind them.
They finish their fly-by with a loop over. We have seen them make hearts and paint the French flag in the sky on other occasions.
It is an interesting contrast to stand in the village with buildings dating back to medieval times when combatants fought with primitive weapons and then to see the fly-over by the PAF in their ultra-modern Alpha jets.
Maybe you will be lucky enough to catch the PAF training over the sky of Provence one day. Bonne journée mes amis et à bientôt.
