French Naval Aviation | |
---|---|
Force maritime de l'aéronautique navale | |
![]() | |
Founded | 20 March 1912 |
Country | ![]() |
Branch | ![]() |
Type | Naval aviation |
Size | 6,800 personnel 178 aircraft[1][2] |
Nickname(s) | Sky Navy 'La Marine du Ciel |
Motto(s) | Honneur, patrie, valeur, discipline |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Contre-amiral Eric Janicot |
French Navy |
---|
![]() |
Command |
Components |
Equipment |
Personnel |
History |
Awards |
French Naval Aviation (often abbreviated in French to: Aéronavale (contraction of Aéronautique navale), or Aviation navale, or more simply l'Aéro) is the naval air arm of the French Navy. The long-form official designation is Force maritime de l'aéronautique navale. Born as a fusion of aircraft carrier squadrons and the naval patrol air force, the Aéronavale was created in 1912. The force is under the command of a flag officer officially titled Admiral of Naval Aviation (ALAVIA) with his headquarters at Toulon naval base. It has a strength of around 6,800 military and civilian personnel. It operates from four airbases in Metropolitan France and several detachments in foreign countries or French overseas territories. Carrier-borne pilots of the French Navy do their initial training at Salon-de-Provence Air Base after which they undergo their carrier qualification with the US Navy.