Four Mirage 2000-5F take off from Luxeuil to provide “sky policing” in Estonia

Last check on the three extra kerosene tanks to check that they are properly attached and last checks in the cockpit. Commander Mickaël performs a final lap of his Mirage 2000-5F before taking off for a “sky police” mission over Estonia, a country bordering Russia. They are four of the “Cigognes” hunting group to take off Sunday morning from the air force base of Luxeuil-Saint-Sauveur (Haute-Saône), as part of a NATO mission to ” participate in the surveillance and defense of the airspace of the Baltic countries”, specified the general staff of the armies on its Twitter account.

The goal: “to be the eyes of the NATO staff”, in particular to “provide it with additional information in real time, tactics, on the planes”, explains Commander Mickaël, just before boarding his device. Earlier in the morning, the four pilots listened carefully to the briefing to get their flight plan and the latest weather data. During their journey, they will fly over Germany, Poland and the Baltic Sea, and land two and a half hours later in Estonia.

The four Mirages are unarmed

After the briefing, the four pilots left to get equipped for their flight: they put on their waterproof suits, which are essential “in the event of an ejection above the water”. Over that, they put on an anti-G suit, to resist the effects of acceleration on the body, and a combat vest. Then they go to the hangar where the planes are parked for a final inspection of their aircraft. Their “sky police” mission in the Baltic countries will last four months. When they leave Luxeuil, the four Mirage 2000-5s are not armed, but they can be armed in Estonia, where around a hundred French soldiers are seconded.

The Russian attack in Ukraine deeply worries countries in Eastern Europe, from Poland to Romania. To reassure them, the United States sent thousands of additional soldiers there. France has also deployed additional troops in Romania and is helping to strengthen airspace surveillance, particularly in Poland. Vigilance is all the stronger since a week after the start of the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, four Russian combat planes had violated the airspace of Sweden, which is not a member of the ‘NATO.

After a problem-free flight, the four French Mirages landed in Estonia at midday, the staff said on Twitter, posting a video of their landing.


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