Escadron de Chasse 1/7 Provence

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01.007 Fighter Squadron "Provence"
Escadron de chasse 01.007 « Provence »
File:Ec-1-7.jpgSquadron Emblem
Active	October 1932 - present
Country	France
Branch	French Air Force
Garrison/HQ	Saint-Dizier – Robinson Air Base
Website	Official Website (in French)
Aircraft flown
Fighter	Dassault Rafale

Military unit

01.007 Fighter Squadron "Provence" (French language: Escadron de chasse 01.007 "Provence") or EC 1/7 is a French Air Force fighter squadron currently stationed at Saint-Dizier – Robinson Air Base (ICAO: LFSI).

In 2006 it was the first unit to fly the Dassault Rafale. The Squadron’s aircraft are marked 113-HA to 113-HZ.

History

See also: No. 328 Squadron RAF

1/7 Provence fighter squadron originated as 1/7 fighter group Dijon in 1932 which itself traces its origin back to two World War I wings: SPA 15 (Casque de Bayard) and SPA 77 (Croix de Jérusalem). In January 1939 the fighter group 1/7 relocated to Tunisia, and subsequently moved to Egypt after the 1940 armistice. It was disbanded in October 1942.

1/7 fighter group was recreated in September 1943 using Spitfire MK VB and participated in the North Africa campaign, the campaign to liberate Corsica and the Provence landings, thus giving it the name Provence. At the end of World War II, the unit was awarded the "Croix de guerre 1939–1945 (France)" and from December 1945 to January 1946, the fighter group received a consignment of captured Japanese Nakajima ki-43 "Hayabusa" fighter planes. 1/7 fighter group received its first Mistral in April 1953, participated in the Algerian war and was reequipped with Mystère IV operating out of Dijon military base. It was disbanded in September 1961.

1/7 Provence fighter squadron was recreated in March 1962 at Nancy – Ochey 133 Air Base, using Mystère IV. In 1973, the Squadron became the first Air force unit to be equipped with SEPECAT Jaguar and relocated to Saint-Dizier-Robinson 113 Air Base. 1/7 Provence Jaguars engaged in combat missions in Mauritania (1978), in Chad (1980’s), in the Gulf War (1990-1991) and in Bosnia. After the 2/11 Vosges fighter squadron was disbanded, 1/7 Provence Squadron was expanded to 3 flights: la SPA 91 (Eagle on a skull) in December 1996.

In July 2001 the squadron received several two-seat Jaguars and the Alpha Jets previously used by 2/7 Argonne Squadron. The Jaguars were retired in July 2005 and replaced by Rafale one year later. In January 2007 1/7 Provence Squadron had twenty Rafale B and C. In March 2007 three Rafales were deployed to Dushanbe in Tajikistan, and carried out their first patrol over Afghanistan two days later.

In September 2007, 1/7 Provence Squadron’s Alpha Jets were transferred to the newly created 5/2 Côte d'Or Squadron.

Constituent flights

SPA 15 Bayard knight's helmet
SPA 77 Jerusalem crutch cross
SPA 91 Eagle with a skull(since December 1996)

Bases

Saint-Dizier – Robinson Air Base (since 1973)

Aircraft

Nakajima Ki-43 II Hayabusa (from 1945 to 1946)
Mystère IV (from 1962 to 1973)
SEPECAT Jaguar (from 1973 to 2005)
Alpha Jet (2001–2007, aircraft marked 7-PA to 7-PZ)
Dassault Rafale (since 2006)

References

"Escadron de chasse 01.007 " Provence "" (in French). French MoD. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
Première mission des Rafale en Afghanistan

External links

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