Flottille 17F

Flottille 17F is a fighter and strike squadron of French Naval Aviation, the naval air arm of the French Navy. The unit is based at Landivisiau Naval Air Base and operates the carrier-capable Dassault Rafale M in the F3-R configuration. Its traditional nickname is “La glorieuse,” while its emblem is an osprey, reflecting the unit’s longstanding association with maritime aviation and expeditionary operations. The squadron was established at Hyères Naval Air Base in April 1958. It initially flew the Vought F4U-7 Corsair for training and subsequently saw operational service in the Algerian theater and Tunisia. The original incarnation was disbanded in 1962. It was reconstituted on 10 January 1964 and equipped with the Dassault Étendard IVM, a carrier-based strike aircraft that formed the basis of the unit’s naval aviation role during the 1960s and 1970s. In September 1980, Flottille 17F became the first French naval squadron to operate the Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard. The aircraft gave the unit a modern carrier strike capability and enabled it to contribute to French naval deployments across the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Oman and the Middle East. The squadron regularly deployed aboard the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle after that carrier entered service, and it also operated from the carriers Clemenceau and Foch during earlier deployments. The unit participated in a wide range of French operations. These included Mission Olifant in Lebanon in 1983, Mission Prométhée in the Gulf of Oman, Mission Capselle off Lebanon in 1989 and Opération Daguet during the 1990–1991 Gulf War. During the conflicts connected with the breakup of Yugoslavia, the squadron operated from Clemenceau and Foch between 1993 and 1996. From 2001, its Super Étendards deployed aboard Charles de Gaulle in support of French operations connected with Afghanistan, including Mission Héraclès, Opération Agapanthe and Operation Anaconda. In 2011, the unit took part in Opération Harmattan over Libya from Charles de Gaulle. Flottille 17F was the last French unit to operate the Super Étendard Modernisé. That aircraft type was withdrawn from French service on 12 July 2016. The squadron transitioned to the Dassault Rafale M, with Rafale operations beginning in September 2016. Its current role combines carrier-based fighter, strike and maritime expeditionary missions within the force structure of French Naval Aviation. As a military aviation unit rather than a commercial consumer brand, its identity is expressed through its callsign traditions, insignia, aircraft lineage and operational record.

Flottille 17F was created at Hyères Naval Air Base in April 1958 as a unit of French Naval Aviation. Its initial aircraft was the Vought F4U-7 Corsair, used for training and preparation for operational service. The squadron quickly gained combat experience in the Algerian theater of operations and in Tunisia. This first period ended with its dissolution in 1962. The unit was reformed on 10 January 1964 and equipped with the Dassault Étendard IVM. The Étendard family established the squadron as a carrier-capable strike formation and connected it with the French Navy’s postwar aircraft-carrier force. In September 1980, Flottille 17F became the first French flotilla to receive the Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard. The aircraft was designed for carrier-based attack and maritime strike missions and remained the squadron’s principal combat aircraft for more than three decades. During the Super Étendard period, the squadron supported French naval and expeditionary operations in several theaters. It took part in Mission Olifant in Lebanon in 1983, Mission Prométhée in the Gulf of Oman and Mission Capselle off Lebanon in August 1989. It also contributed to Opération Daguet during the Gulf War. Between 1993 and 1996, aircraft from the unit deployed aboard the aircraft carriers Clemenceau and Foch in operations associated with the conflict in the former Yugoslavia. The squadron later operated regularly from the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. From 2001, its aircraft deployed to the Indian Ocean in support of French operations linked to Afghanistan. Named deployments included Mission Héraclès, Opération Agapanthe and Operation Anaconda. In 2011, Flottille 17F participated in Opération Harmattan, the French intervention in Libya, again operating from Charles de Gaulle. Flottille 17F was the last French formation to use the Super Étendard Modernisé. The aircraft was withdrawn from French service on 12 July 2016. The squadron subsequently transitioned to the Dassault Rafale M, beginning Rafale operations in September 2016. It currently operates the Rafale M F3-R from Landivisiau Naval Air Base, retaining its role as a French naval fighter and strike unit capable of aircraft-carrier deployment.

• 2016

  Transition to Rafale M

  [1]Flottille 17Fen.wikipedia.org

  The unit ended its Super Étendard Modernisé era and began operating Dassault Rafale M aircraft in September 2016.

• 1980

  First Super Étendard operator

  [1]Flottille 17Fen.wikipedia.org

  Flottille 17F became the first French flotilla to operate the Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard, beginning in September 1980.

• 1964

  Reformation with Étendard IVM

  [1]Flottille 17Fen.wikipedia.org

  The squadron was reformed on 10 January 1964 and began operating the Dassault Étendard IVM from June of that year.

• 1962

  First dissolution

  [1]Flottille 17Fen.wikipedia.org

  The original incarnation of the squadron was dissolved after its early operational period in North Africa.

• 1958

  Formation at Hyères

  [1]Flottille 17Fen.wikipedia.org

  Flottille 17F was formed at Hyères Naval Air Base in April 1958 and initially flew the Vought F4U-7 Corsair.

A French naval fighter and strike squadron specializing in carrier aviation, expeditionary operations and the operation of combat aircraft from French aircraft carriers.

• Carrier-based fighter aircraft · 1958

  Vought F4U-7 Corsair

  The Corsair was the first aircraft associated with Flottille 17F after its formation in 1958. The squadron used the F4U-7 primarily for training and preparation before employing the unit in operations connected with Algeria and Tunisia.

• Carrier-based strike aircraft · 1964

  Dassault Étendard IVM

  The Étendard IVM equipped the reformed squadron from 1964. It provided a carrier-based strike capability and was the unit’s principal aircraft before the arrival of the Super Étendard.

• Carrier-based strike aircraft · 1980

  Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard

  Introduced to Flottille 17F in 1980, the Super Étendard supported maritime strike and expeditionary combat missions for more than three decades. The squadron later operated the Super Étendard Modernisé and was the last French unit to use that aircraft family.

• Carrier-based multirole fighter · 2016

  Dassault Rafale M F3-R

  The Rafale M F3-R is the current aircraft of Flottille 17F. It is a carrier-capable multirole fighter used by French Naval Aviation for air combat, strike and expeditionary missions from land bases and aircraft carriers.

• 2011Opération Harmattan

  Libya · Mediterranean

  The squadron operated from Charles de Gaulle during Opération Harmattan, France’s 2011 military intervention in Libya.

  Source
• 2001Mission Héraclès

  Afghanistan · Indian Ocean

  From 2001, Flottille 17F deployed aboard Charles de Gaulle in support of French operations related to Afghanistan under Mission Héraclès.

  Source
• 2001Opération Agapanthe

  Afghanistan · Indian Ocean

  The squadron participated in Opération Agapanthe as part of French carrier-based operations in the Indian Ocean and the wider Afghanistan theater.

  Source
• 2001Operation Anaconda

  Afghanistan

  Flottille 17F was involved in French naval aviation support connected with Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan.

  Source
• 1993Former Yugoslavia deployments

  Former Yugoslavia

  Between 1993 and 1996, the squadron operated aboard the aircraft carriers Clemenceau and Foch during French naval deployments connected with the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia.

  Source
• 1991Opération Daguet

  Persian Gulf · Saudi Arabia

  The unit contributed to France’s participation in the Gulf War through Opération Daguet.

  Source
• 1989Mission Capselle

  Lebanon

  Flottille 17F participated in Mission Capselle off the Lebanese coast in August 1989.

  Source
• 1988Mission Prométhée

  Gulf of Oman

  The squadron took part in Mission Prométhée, a French naval deployment in the Gulf of Oman that lasted approximately fourteen months.

  Source
• 1983Mission Olifant

  Lebanon

  Flottille 17F participated in the French naval aviation deployment known as Mission Olifant in Lebanon.

  Source

• 2016

  Transition from Super Étendard Modernisé to Rafale MGeneration change

  Background

  The Super Étendard Modernisé reached the end of its French service life, with the type retired on 12 July 2016.

  Action taken

  Flottille 17F transitioned to the Dassault Rafale M, beginning operations with the aircraft in September 2016.

  Aftermath

  The squadron became a Rafale M F3-R operator while retaining its carrier-based fighter and strike role.

  Source

• 1980

  Adoption of the Super ÉtendardGeneration change

  Background

  French Naval Aviation introduced a new generation of carrier-based strike aircraft.

  Action taken

  Flottille 17F became the first French flotilla to operate the Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard.

  Aftermath

  The squadron used the Super Étendard and its modernized variant across numerous carrier and expeditionary deployments until 2016.

  Source

• 1964

  Reconstitution as an Étendard IVM squadronStrategy

  Background

  After the original unit was dissolved in 1962, French Naval Aviation re-established Flottille 17F in January 1964.

  Action taken

  The reformed flotilla adopted the Dassault Étendard IVM as its operational aircraft.

  Aftermath

  The decision restored the unit as a carrier-based French naval strike formation.

  Source

1. 1Flottille 17Fen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Flottille 17F — French Ministry of the Armed Forcesdefense.gouv.fr