Everybody is friendly ....are we in France,

From 5 to 16 October 2009, the year Franco-Saudi Green Shield (Bouclier Vert, in French) exercise took place on the Base Aérienne 102 near Dijon. The Royal Saudi Air Force deployed for the event five F-15C Eagle and one F-15D Eagle and almost 175 personel from 5 Squadron to the French Air Base, making this the second deployment of the RSAF to the European Continent. The first beeing the one to Lossimouth. Totalling nearly 175 people. Support aircraft were located at Istres and making daily visits to Dijon.

The green shield 2 exercise is a follow up from the first joint exercise in 2007 when the French air force deployed to Saudi Arabia.

The French Air Force (Armee de l'Air) participated with Escadron de Chasse 01.002 Cigognes (Storks) and the Alpha Jets of Escadron d'Entraînement 02.002 "Côte d'Or" (Gold Coast), both based at Dijon. Other participants were Rafales of EC 01.007 "Provence" based at Saint-Dizier, an E-3F AWACS of from Avord, that flew from their respective home bases. An EC725 Caracal, two Gazelles and a Puma were deployed to Dijon.

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 Flag, two missions were planned every day (one in the morning and afternoon). Two F-15s, two Mirage 2000-5F and Alpha Jets flew joint missions during the various scenarios. With the Rafales playing the so called "bad guys". Later in the exercise Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) missions were flown where the Mirages and F-15s flew Combat Air Patrols covering the EC 725 Caracal helicopters who peformed the actual extraction of the downed pilot(s).

Two air missions were planned every day (one in the morning and afternoon). The objective of this exercise was to deepen the bilateral Franco-Saudi ties to strengthen friendship between the two nations to develop interoperability, compare the skills and share working methods. It may also be a way for the french to show the potential of the Rafale. As the Royal Saudi Air Force is looking fore a replacement for its fleet of F-5 and F-15 aircraft, potential forerunners are the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Boeing silent Eagle.

Spotting at Dijon has changed, the police do id checks and even during the check people were allowed to make pictures from the aircraft. At one point the base security told us to stop making pictures, because that is forbidden, so we moved from the fence. This had to due with the visit of Prince Khalid, after the arrival of his BBJ the base security left and spotting was continued.
Pilots waving friendly, farmers waving friendly, gendarmes friendly everybody is friendly ....are we in France? The spotting facilities are great here. It's a shame that this base is closing down very soon.