4/11 Fighter Squadron in Djibouti

[No one]

Dear Gentlement,

 

4/11 "Jura" Fighter Squadron* in Djibouti.

*Escadron de Chasse 4/11 "Jura" / EC 4/11 "Jura".

 

History: 🔎 Escadron de chasse 4/11 Jura - Définition et Explications (techno-science.net)

By decision No. 2831 of the EMAA of June 20, 1972, the 4/11 Jura fighter squadron was created on January 1, 1973.

On the Air Base 188 from 1973 to 1978.

The unit takes up the insignia and traditions of 3/11 Jura.

The number of pilots is eight assigned and two detached from the 11th fighter wing relieved every three months.
The mechanical staff is as numerous as for a mainland squadron to ensure so-called "reinforced" maintenance due to the isolation more than 6,000 km from mainland France.

 

- Squadron insignia homologation Air A.1103 September 05, 1977:

 

- EC 4/11 "Jura" FIA  Lyon:

 

 

- EC 4/11 "Jura" without maker:

 

 

- Flights / Escadrilles

 

SPA 158, instruction No. 2595/EMAA/1/ORG/DR of November 27, 1972 recreates SPA 158 Serpentaire.

Homologation Air A.551 of July 24, 195.
Due to the reduced strength, it will initially be the only squadron of this fighter unit.

It should be noted that the SPA 158 badge will be worn as a squadron badge by all personnel.

 

- SPA158 FIA Lyon:

 

 

-pin's Paris Insignes:

 

 

SPA 161, it was not until 1975, following the increase in numbers (pilots and planes), and instruction No. 10003/EMAA/1/ORG/DR of 01/11/1975,

that the second Jura squadron was officially recreated. SPA 161 “Sphinx”.

Homologation Air  A.552 of July 24, 1953.

From this day forward, unit personnel will wear the squadron insignia.

 

- SPA 161:

 

I don't possess the insignia because it's a rare and costly item, and there are more fakes on the market than genuine ones.

 

But I have a miniature Paris Insignes:

 

 

Note: The squadron operates eight North American F-100 Super Saber fighter-bombers: 7 single-seat F-100Ds and 1 two-seat F-100F.

 

The 4/11 Jura had an article with a photo on the cover of N° 1 Air Fan of 01-11-1978:

 

"Les Requins de la Mer Rouge / The Sharks of the Red Sea"

 

 

Yours sincerely,

No one

Edited May 20 by No one

[No one]

Dear Gentlemen,

 

The patches:

 

- 4/11 "Jura" SPA 158:

 

 

Disbanded on DA 188 in Djibouti on New Year's Eve 1978 and recreated the next day on BA.106 in Bordeaux-Mérignac, 4/11 Jura succeeded itself.It is said that the pilots who flew in Djibouti wore a red background SPA 158 patch upon returning to France.

 

- 4/11 "Jura" SPA 161:

 

 

- cannetille patch of the 4/11 "Jura" veterans association / amicale du 4/11 "Jura" :

 

 

Yours sincerely,

No one

[TracA]

No One,

 

Another great post. Please keep them coming!

 

Tracy

[No one]

Dear Gentlemen,

 

Some beautiful pictures here:

 

- SPA 158 Serpentaire: SPA 158 Serpentaire (traditions-air.fr)

 

- SPA 161 Sphinx: SPA 161 Sphinx (traditions-air.fr)

 

Biography of Captain Michel Croci (source: © Armée de l'air):

-translation google-

 

 

Michel Croci was born on July 26, 1944 in Montmartin-sur-Mer, in the Handle. A young soldier called up from class 64, he was drafted on 4 November 1963 at the Entrepôt de l'Armée de l'Air n°603 (based in Limoges) before joining, at the end of his classes, the annex ammunition warehouse 1,605 at Rocamadour. As secretary of the stores group, he showed a dedication and of remarkable seriousness, which earned him promotion to the rank of corporal then as a master corporal before finishing his military service. At the end, He contracted a seven-year commitment from 1 May 1965.
Indeed, his ardent desire to embrace a career as a fighter pilot led him to follow the circuit of the schools of the aircrew of the Air Force.
Six months later, with the basic pilot phase completed, it is selected for the hunting specialisation. Sergeant Croci was then assigned to the 314 Training Group stationed at the 705 Air Base in Tours in order to continue his training, first on T-33 SF T-Bird and then on Mystère IV.
In the spring of 1968, the young fighter school graduate made his operational transformation course within the 1/8 Saintonge Squadron in Cazaux before choosing his first assignment in the air force. This will be the 11th Wing equipped with North American F100 Super Sabres.
It was the 1st squadron of the 3/11 Corsican Fighter Squadron that welcomed him on 10 June 1968. Staff Sergeant Croci then consecrated the next three years to climb the qualification ladder until the certificate of deputy patrol leader.
Transferred to the School Group 315, she joined the Cognac base on 17 August 1970 after having carried out a three-month instructor internship at GE 313 in Aulnat. Warrant Officer Croci took advantage of this stay to succeed in the training course of the reserve officer cadets that he followed to Evreux at the end of the winter 1970-71. He was admitted to serve in an active service as of October 1 of the same year.
In Cognac, the young officer demonstrated such human and pedagogical qualities and professional as a driving instructor that he is rewarded in July 1972 with a letter of congratulations signed by Colonel Pontois, commanding Air Base 709.
In January 1973, back in a combat unit in Toul-Rosières, he resumed his operational training for a year and then brilliantly obtained The highest qualification for fighter pilots: the chef's licence patrol.
He then took command of the flight training squadron 11 Wing Blind where he creates an excellent working climate and trust, while showing
It was on 25 May 1976 that Lieutenant Croci joined the Fighter Squadron 4/11 Jura,unit to which he will now link his career as a fighter pilot officer.
Recreated in 1973 to defend the airport complex of Djibouti, this squadron is made up of two squadrons, the SPA 158 Serpentaire and the SPA 161 Sphinx. Missions that take place over a small territory, are no less very diverse: classic assault, support of troops in the air defence, escorts in the Red Sea, and even reconnaissance during the Somali-Ethiopian conflict.
Deputy to the squadron commander, Lieutenant Croci continues to demonstrate his qualities of seriousness and availability, but he also knows how to put to the benefit of his talents as an artist: indeed, on the occasion of the 10,000 hours of this unit, which is not yet six years old, has the characteristic profile of the of the Super Sabre of the "Jura" is highlighted by a superb face of his own shark.
Relieved by the Mirage III C of the 3/10 Vexin Fighter Squadron, The 4/11 squadron was disbanded on 31 December 1978, but it was reborn from its ashes in mainland France the next day.
After reforming in Toul, he settled, equipped with combat planes Jaguar type, at the Bordeaux-Mérignac base ; its new mission includes, in addition to protecting the south-west region, intense participation in external operations.
It is in this context that Captain Croci, while first commander of SPA 158 then, from September 1982, chief of operations of the squadron, carried out numerous secondments in Africa and participated in particular to the "Tacaud" operation.
Apart from these stays, he directs the operational life of the "Jura" which is punctuated by many highlights: shooting or supersonic combat, regional, national or international exercises, exchanges with foreign units, etc.
On January 25, 1984, while on secondment to N'Djamena as part of the "Manta" operation, it flies away at the head of a mixed Jaguar / Mirage F1 patrol to carry out a Armed reconnaissance mission over hostile elements in the region of Torodum (Chad). He died when his plane, probably hit by a projectile, exploded.
The mention "Died for France" was awarded to Captain Croci by decision of the Minister of Defence and his funeral was celebrated at Air Base 106 in Bordeaux-Mérignac on Friday, February 3, 1984, in the presence of Mr. Charles Hernu, Minister of Defense, and senior civil and military personalities. That on the same day, he is summoned, posthumously, on the order of the Air Force by the Minister of Defence, Defence: "Officer with professional, human and military qualities Outstanding Fighter Pilot, Outstanding Fighter Pilot, Patrol Leader particularly experienced with a total of 3860 flight hours, including 1100 hours on Jaguar.
His personality, his very deep faith in the mission, his influence and his dynamism had allowed him to establish himself very quickly as a Squadron Operations Manager.
Detachment Commander, as part of Operation MANTA, made the sacrifice in the performance of his duty during a mission reconnaissance over hostile elements on the 25th January 1984, in Torodum (Republic of Chad)".
On May 23, 1995, the Air Base received the traditional name "Captain Michel Croci " in honour of this fighter pilot officer.

 

Mort du capitaine CROCI ; 30 ans déjà | 11 ème Escadre de chasse (pilote-chasse-11ec.com)

 

-The insignia of the EC 04/011 Jura for "Operation Manta" Y.Delsart 89100 Sens:

 

 

-This book for those interested:

 

 

- insignia of "Tacaud" operation Drago Paris:

 

 

- insignia of "Manta" operation Y.Delsart 89100 Sens:

 

 

Yours sincerely,

No one