Training & deployments: Royal Saudi Air Force F-15C’s in France:
Arabian Autumn in France

From 5 to 16 October 2009, a joint Franco-Saudi exercise called “Green Shield” (Bouclier Vert in French) took place at Base Aérienne 102 near Dijon. The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF or Al Quwwat al Jawwiya as Sa'udiya) deployed for the event with a complement of six ‘Eagles’; five F-15C’s and one F-15D and 175 support staff. RSAF 5 Squadron is normally based in Taif (King Fahd AB) on the west coast of Saudi Arabia, protecting the Kingdom from intruders across the Red Sea.

The French Air Force (Armee de l'Air) participated with Escadron de Chasse 01.002 Cigognes with their Mirage 2000s and the Alpha Jets of Escadron d'Entraînment 02.002 "Côte d'Or", both based at Dijon. Other participants were Rafales of EC 01.007 "Provence" based at Saint-Dizier and an E-3F AWACS from Avord, who flew from their respective home bases. Furthermore an EC725 Caracal, two Gazelles and a Puma were deployed to Dijon.
 
This deployment was the second European deployment of the RSAF in recent years, the first one being the “Green Flag” exercise (with Tornado IDS aircraft) in September 2007 at RAF Lossiemouth, UK. Tankers and transports for this year’s exercise were located at Istres in the South of France, with Hercules transports making daily visits to Dijon. The Green Shield "part 2" exercise is a follow-up from the first joint exercise in 2007 when the French air force deployed to Saudi Arabia.

As French Air Force General Hugues Hendel explained at the 9 October press conference: “The objective of Green Flag is to develop interoperability, compare skills and share working methods of the two air forces. Next to that, strengthening the bilateral Franco-Saudi ties and friendship between the two Nations is also of great importance”.

During Green Shield, two missions were planned every day (one in the morning and one in the afternoon). Sets of two F-15s, two Mirage 2000-5Fs and Alpha Jets flew joint missions, playing out different scenarios. Later in the exercise Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) missions were flown. Mirages and F-15s flew Combat Air Patrols covering the EC725 Caracal helicopters which performed the actual extraction of the "downed pilot(s)".

Air superiority fighters: Royal Saudi Air Force F-15C 506 F-15C 506 and 510. F-15D 533. French counterpart: Armée de l´Air Mirage 2000B 523/115KJ Alpha Jet E E87/102-LC Mirage 2000-5F 47/102-EP

With the Rafales from St. Dizier playing opposing forces, the French hosts were able to show off the capabilities of their newest fighter to their guests. The RSAF is now entering the next phase of the modernization of their front line fighters, as their fleets of F-15C/D and F-5E/F aircraft are reaching the end of their life cycle. The Dassault Rafale is definitely in the running as a replacement, together with other potential forerunners, the Eurofighter Typhoon and the all new Boeing “Silent Eagle”, a stealthy looking design based upon the F-15E, with outward canted tailfins like the F-22.

On 12 October a VIP day was held, with three French Air Force generals, Defence and Industry officials welcoming Prince Khalid Al Saoud, the Minister of Defence of the Kingdom. The Saudi delegation was flown in in their Boeing BBJ of 1 SQ / Saudi Royal Flight, recording a rare visit of this jet to continental Europe.

Throughout the period, journalists, photographers and spotters were welcomed to the base and its surroundings, spent time at the fence and even a press opportunity was organized. Although security remains an issue at some bases in France, Dijon and many others have become more tolerant towards aviation enthusiasts with local police only checking ID’s. With Saudi and French pilots waving friendly, farmers waving friendly, gendarmes friendly, everybody friendly ....it made some of us ask ourselves: are we in France? We sure like this better than the more ‘repressive’ decades of the past.

The occasion for the visit was first class, the first - and most likely last - time we were to see Saudi Air Force F-15 deploy here. Also, spotting possibilities are great at Dijon. It's a pity that this base is to close down as soon as 2011 as part of budgetary measures.

Netherlands, January 6th, 2010

Headline photo

The RSAF F-15C 512 take off in full after burner for the next Green Shield sortie.
During the RSAF deployment to France, Arabian pilots had the chance to flight in a very different wet weather conditions, than those they have at home.

We would like to thank French Air Force / Sirpa Air for the additional information on this exercise and the opportunity offered to the press during this deployment.