The Patrouille de France flew over Tuesday the Statue of Liberty in New Yorkas a part of the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the US. Eight Alpha Jets crossed the sky above the monument provided by France in 1886, forsaking blue-white-red smoke bombs.
A couple of minutes earlier, the planes had already flown over the West Level army academy, earlier than persevering with in direction of Philadelphia, cradle of the Declaration of Independence of 1776. This mission, referred to as “Liberty 250”, highlights France’s role in the American War of Independence and the historic hyperlink between the 2 international locations.
An distinctive mission for the pilots
” Actually, this flyover of the Statue of LibertyI by no means would have imagined having the ability to do this in my life,” confided Brice Beaudouin, chief of the Patrol. “I already take into account myself extraordinarily fortunate to have the ability to design the colours of our flag in France, however to have the ability to do it overseas… I admit that it provides somewhat further stress.”
Normal Pierre Gaudillière recalled that “the bonds which had been solid in blood, in wars (…) we additionally discover them (…) throughout previous engagements” between the 2 armies. In whole, the mission mobilizes 85 troopers, with an A400M transport airplane and two reserve plane. The Patrouille de France remains to be scheduled to carry out in a number of American states, notably in Maryland, Virginia and Washington. A ultimate cross is deliberate over New York on July 4, the anniversary of independence.
