Get immersed in the high-paced world of the 3rd Fighter Wing; from its deployment to Cazaux for its annual air-ground firing campaign to its adventurous experimentation with new concepts. There's never a dull moment here.
An impressive fleet of 26 Mirage 2000D from the 3rd Fighter Wing was dispatched to Cazaux for its yearly air-ground firing campaign in a move that demanded massive logistical and human efforts. This required transporting a staggering 800 cubic meters and 190 tons of equipment.
Maintaining the Momentum
A steady stream of shuttles between Nancy, where the 3rd Fighter Wing is stationed, and Cazaux was key to reinforcing and supplementing the initial setup. The firing campaign extended over three weeks, clocking 600 flight hours during 450 sorties. This represented a 20% upturn in activity relative to the normal rate.
Every Player Counts
Each member of the flying personnel fired one to two war-type munitions. The mechanics also had their plates full, adapting the Mirage 2000D to the variegated missions.
From Mountains to Maritime Airspaces
The unique location of Cazaux provided a rich blend of training environments, encompassing maritime airspaces and mountains, making it an ideal setting for the campaign.
Innovation in Action
A Look into the Future
As we move into 2023, the wing's lineup includes 36 Mirage 2000D RMV, which is set to grow to a total of 48 as per the Military Programming Law 2024-30. Post-deployment to Cazaux, the 3rd Wing is poised to undertake a new SAPHIR type exercise with the ambitious goal of accomplishing 600 flight hours in 200 sorties.