Franco-German Airlift Squadron Operating C-130Js to Get Operational by end 2021

French and German defense ministers signed the second Franco-German intergovernmental cooperation agreement in the field of tactical air transport on August 30, 2021.

It aims to create a bi-national squadron and a training center at the Evreux air base,France with a view to operating a fleet of C-130J planes. This signature will allow the formal establishment of the Franco-German squadron on 1 st September 2021.

Within this unit, the French and German soldiers will be able to work in mixed teams, without distinction of nationality. While retaining the possibility of carrying out missions within a purely national framework, one of the objectives is to carry out operational missions with mixed crews, on French and German planes. This is a level of integration rarely achieved in the field of military aviation. The implementation of this initiative is a major step in Franco-German military cooperation.

Initial operational capability is expected to be reached in the fall of 2021 with the establishment of the unit in Évreux, and full operational capacity in 2024.

Within this unit, French and German soldiers will be able to work in mixed teams, without distinction of nationality. While retaining the possibility of carrying out missions within a purely national framework, this is the first time an air force squadron is able to carry out operational missions with mixed crews, on French and German aircrafts. This creation stands as a major achievement.