2012-08-10 By Murielle Delaporte Based on interviews with two of the operational leaders for the assault and maneuver helicopter battalion operating off the French aircraft carriers -- BPCs (Bâtiment de Projection et de Commandement) -- during the Libyan operation, it is clear that there are challenges and opportunities which air mobility…
2012-08-09 SLD interviewed Colonel Frédéric Gout, French Army, Commanding Officer of the French Army's 5th Combat Helicopter Regiment (5th RHC), based in Pau about the role of the 5th RHC in French operations. The interview was conducted at Pau in mid-2012. While the role of helicopters is essential in the evolution…
2012-07-23 In this piece translated from the French. General Patrick Tanguy one of the architects of modern Army aviation con-ops discusses the modern air mobility concept relied upon by the French forces, and highlighted in Libyan and Afghan operations. General Tanguy is on the editorial board of our partner publication…
6/9/12: Second Line of Defense’s Murielle Delaporte is with the French forces in Afghanistan and will report next week on her time with the French military. The French have primary responsibility for the Kapisa Province within the multinational command. Today, a suicide bomber attacked the French forces, killing four soldiers and…
03/21/2012: The Eurocopter Puma was engaged in Bold Alligator 2012. Off of the Mistral, the Pumas supported the French Army by transporting artillery pieces and providing support for the troops on the ground. For the USN, the Pumas worked off of the USNS Robert E. Peary providing support for the amphibious…