Page 46 - Air Forces Monthly - September 2017

MIRAGE DISPLAY TEAM

Remembering the Ouadi Doum raid Vortices stream from the
wing roots as a Mirage 2000D
deploys airbrakes while still
in full afterburner. For all
its drama, the Couteau Delta
routine is based on tactical
manoeuvres found in the
Mirage 2000D concept of
operations.

Above: Specially marked Mirage 2000D 652/3-XN wears the striking ‘vanilla-chocolate’ scheme
developed for combat operations over Africa. Rich Cooper
For its fi rst season, Couteau Delta unveiled SA-6 Gainful surface-to-air missile systems A tactical display
a special desert paint scheme (commonly and eight ZSU-23-4 self-propelled guns.
referred to as ‘vanilla-chocolate’) to Consequently, a stand-off attack using the The Ramex Delta display was different from
commemorate an historic mission. This is Martel anti-radar missile (ARM) became the its predecessors because all its manoeuvres
applied to Mirage 2000D 652/3-XN of EC 3/3 preferred option for follow-on air action. had a tactical foundation – this was not
‘Ardennes’. On January 7, 1987 the French Air Force an aerobatic routine. The components of
In 1986 the French military was deployed launched a composite air operation the display were derived from everyday
on Opération Épervier (Operation to target Libyan air defence systems Armée de l’Air operations and training
Sparrowhawk) in support of the protecting the base and to send a clear procedures. With this in mind, the Mirage
government of Chad. Chadian forces message to Libya. The mission involved 2000s flew their displays with standard
were fi ghting against the troops of Libyan Mirage F1Cs from EC 3/12 providing air 2,000 litre (440 imp gal) wing tanks fitted.
leader Colonel Gaddafi , who were making defence, Mirage F1CRs from ER 1/33 to act Another unusual feature was the fact
incursions into Chadian territory. In as bait to trigger the Libyan air defence that pilots and weapons system officers
January 1987, after Chadian troops infl icted radar, Jaguar As from EC 3/3 equipped with (WSOs) were not dedicated instructors but
several defeats on Libyan soldiers, its air Martel ARMs, C-135F tankers, and a French experienced frontline crew participating in
force launched air strikes against French Navy Atlantic for electronic intelligence current French Air Force operations. This
forces. Paris responded with a raid on and airborne command and control. meant that practising for the tactical display
Ouadi Doum air base, which had been The tactic worked – it was not long was easier to combine with regular training.
built by Libya in northern Chad. After before the Libyan Flat Face surveillance/ During an airshow at Base Aérienne 133
the fi rst French strike against the runway target acquisition radar was switched on, Nancy-Ochey in July 2014 the local squadrons
on February 16, 1986, the local defences and Jaguar A 100 from EC 3/3 ‘Ardennes’
were boosted with the addition of fi ve destroyed it with a Martel missile. performed the Ramex Delta demonstration
using a pair of Mirage 2000Ds. For this

Above: A standard fi t for the Couteau Delta display, the 2,000 litre (440 imp gal) drop tanks do little to
detract from the clean lines of the Mirage 2000. Right: Close formation fl ying is a trademark of the Armée
de l’Air’s two-ship fast jet displays.

46 // SEPTEMBER 2017 #354 www.airforcesmonthly.com