French Rafales in Oceana will fly over Norfolk today
It is the first time the French and US Navies have trained together like this in ten years.
The French are fired up, ‘to see how the U.S. aviation is training, so that we can try to take what’s good from it, and we try also to show them we know how to work too,” said French Naval Air Force pilot, Commander Marc, who asked that we not use his last name.
Their American counterparts are equally enthused.
“I’ve been active duty for 18 years and this is the first time I’ve got a chance to do something like this,” said CDR Kevin Chlan, commanding officer of VFA-31.
“We get to focus on working on a person to person basis, whether that our pilots, NFO’s or maintainers, just kind of passing share experiences and learning,” said CDR Christian Goodman, commanding officer of VAW-124.
“To have an opportunity to have the French Navy come over and improve our ability to fight alongside them is not lost on me how significant that is, and what a wonderful opportunity that is,” said CAPT Jim McCall, commander of Carrier Air Wing 8.
The public can see the French jets for themselves with a pair of flyovers over the next two days. The first fly-over is scheduled Thursday a little after 5 p.m. over Norfolk Scope following the NATO festival flag raising.
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“The Rafale, once I go up and fight it, it’s a fast aircraft,” he said. “It’s got a very good thrust-to-weight ratio. We’re not used to seeing some of the speeds they operate at. The Super Hornet is is a great maneuverable aircraft and we see some advantages when we fight them.”
Ultimately, Chlan said, it’s helpful to train against different aircraft and pilots and learn from their tactics.
“It’s personally very satisfying to go out and do something different,” he said. “It’s cool to go out and see them off your wing.”
Source:
13news now.com
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