French Navy Rafale Pilot Ejects At Sea during joint training with US Navy

On July 2nd 2012 off the Spanish coast in the Mediterranean, during air combat training with an F18 fighter from aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower, the pilot of a Rafale fighter belonging to "Flotille 12F" operating from French nuclear powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle had to eject.

He was recovered by a U.S. Navy helicopter and was transferred aboard the French aircraft carrier where he received first care by the medical team.

An investigation was opened to determine the circumstances and causes of this accident.

Aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and her escort left Toulon on May 30, for a training deployment in the Mediterranean and Atlantic, which ends July 5, 2012.

                         

On July 2nd 2012 off the Spanish coast in the Mediterranean,during air combat training with an F18 fighter from aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower, the pilot of a Rafale pilot belonging to "Flotille 12F" operating from French nuclear powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle had to ejected.

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USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, At Sea (NNS) -- While conducting coalition training in the Mediterranean Sea July 2, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) received a call of a downed French aircraft operating from the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R 91).

Upon notification, a Carrier Airwing 7 airborne helicopter from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 5, embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, was dispatched to provide rescue and assistance.

Once HS-5 arrived at the scene, they retrieved and transported the pilot to the Charles de Gaulle for medical treatment.

Peruvian Air Force upgrading its 12 Mirage 2000 and 18 MIG-29

The Peruvian Air Force revealed the upgrading of its Mirage 2000 and MIG-29 combat aircraft demanding an investment of 266 million dollars, reported the Sunday edition of Diario Correo.

The Mirages 2000 were purchased in 1986 by then President Belaunde Terry

The work is being done in a Peruvian Air Force base to the north of the country and the whole operation should be concluded by 2014.

Peru purchased the Mirages from France in 1986 and the upgrading of the 12 units, involving 140 million dollars is being done by Peruvian engineers and Air Force experts with the technical advise from the French company Dassault Aviation under a program named Inspection VP5.

The newspaper also reported that the Russian manufactured 18 MIG-29 are undergoing refurbishing at a cost estimated in 126 million dollars. However this leg of the program is behind schedule since it is only done by Russian engineers.

The two operations are part of a plan started by President Alejandro Toledo over six years ago with the purpose of modernizing the capability of the Peruvian Air Force. They intend to improve technology, avionics and engines. Testing with some of the Mirages should begin in a few weeks time.

Meantime pilots are kept trained by travelling to the French air base Mont de Marsan where they practice with simulators emergency and bombing situations plus missile targeting, concludes Diario Correo.