The Musketeers & Djibouti

[No one]

Dear Gentlemen,

 

 3/10 - 4/30 - 4/33 "Vexin" Fighter Squadrons* in Djibouti.

*Escadrons de Chasse  3/10 - 4/30 - 4/33 "Vexin"  / EC 3/10 - 4/30 - 4/33 "Vexin"

 

Fighter Squadron 3/10 "Vexin": from September 1, 1978 to August 1, 1988

Fighter Squadron 4/30 "Vexin": from August 1, 1988 to June 27, 1994

Fighter Squadron 4/33 "Vexin": from June 27, 1994 to November 3, 2008

 

History: plaquette_EC_3-10_Vexin.pdf (traditions-air.fr)

 

The EC 3/10 "Vexin" was created on September 1, 1978, taking up traditions successively carried by the Musketeers Fighter Group (which had fought at the start of the Second World War before being dissolved in July 1940), the EC 3/10 "Valois" (1951-1954 on P-47 Thunderbolt) then the EC 2/20 "Ouarsenis" (1956-1963, on P-47 Thunderbolt then AD-4N Skyraider).

Equipped with Mirage IIICs, the squadron is deployed at Air Base 188 Djibouti as part of a defense agreement between France and the Republic of Djibouti. While the 10th Fighter Wing was disbanded in May 1985, the EC 3/10 "Vexin" nevertheless remained active until June 1988. It was then the last Air Force unit to fly on Mirage IIIC , before its transformation on Mirage F1 and its transfer to the 30th Fighter Wing where it became the 4/30 "Vexin" Fighter Squadron.

 

The EC 4/30 "Vexin" was created in July 1988, taking over the traditions and missions of the 3/10 "Vexin" fighter squadron. Equipped with Mirage F1 fighters, it was deployed at Air Base 188 Djibouti as part of a defense agreement between France and the Republic of Djibouti. In June 1994, the squadron became Fighter Squadron 4/33 "Vexin".

 

The EC 4/33 "Vexin" was created in mid-1994 by taking over the traditions and missions of the 4/30 "Vexin" Fighter Squadron. It is initially equipped with Mirage F1Cs, deployed at Air Base 188 Djibouti as part of a defense agreement between France and the Republic of Djibouti.

The squadron began to receive its first Mirage 2000Cs in September 2001, followed in mid-July 2002 by Mirage 2000Ds which allowed the definitive withdrawal of the Mirage F1s. Since this date, the EC 4/33 "Vexin" was not only the only Air Force fighter unit permanently stationed overseas, but also the only one equipped with both Mirage 2000C (single-seat fighters) and Mirage 2000D (attack/bomber two-seater).

EC 4/33 has been replaced since November 3, 2008 by the 3/11 "Corse" Fighter Squadron.

 

- Squadron insignia homologation Air A.1143 1979 for the three squadrons:

 

- EC 3/10 "Vexin" without maker:

 

 

- EC 4/30 - 4/33 "Vexin" without maker's name FIA Lyon :

 

 

- EC 4/30 - 4/33 "Vexin" Y.Delsart 89100 Sens:

 

 

- Flights / Escadrilles

 

- Gray Musketeer / Mousquetaire gris 1e Escadrille homologation Air A.720 1957  Y.Delsart 89100 Sens:

 

 

- Gray Musketeer / Mousquetaire gris 1e Escadrille homologation Air A.720 1957  F.I.A Ed.Lyon:

 

 

- Black Musketeer / Mousquetaire noir 2e Escadrille homologation Air A.768 1958 Y.Delsart 89100 Sens:

 

 

- Black Musketeer / Mousquetaire noir 2e Escadrille homologation Air A.768 1958  F.I.A Ed.Lyon:

 

 

Note:The Musqueteers on the plane tails are red-haired, and the Black Musqueteer is actually blue.

 

- pin's:

 

 

- Piste 3-10:

 

 

Yours sincerely,

No one

Edited May 22 by No one

[No one]

Dear Gentlemen,

 

The patches:

 

- EC 3/10 "Vexin":

 

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.

 

This is from a friend:

 

 

- EC 4/30 "Vexin":

 

 

- EC 4/33 "Vexin":

 

 

- Gray Musketeer / Mousquetaire gris 1e Escadrille ERC 3/561:

 

 

- Black Musketeer / Mousquetaire noir 2e Escadrille ERC 4/561:

 

 

- Change of Planes:

 

 

- Bye-bye Mirage F1:

 

 

 - 4/33 "VEXIN" Mirage 2000 D :

 

 

 

- 4/33 VEXIN Mirage 2000 C :

 

 

 

- Disbandment of Fighter Squadron 4/33 "VEXIN" (100 patches ordered):

 

 

 

And there is this patch, the infamous "Khat 33" of the ground crew (very popular with them).

 

 

There is a play on words, but it did not please the authorities and was prohibited from being worn.

Khat = 4 'quatre' in French, so 4/33 = Khat 33. But "Khat" is a recreational stimulant, well a drug.

Khat - Wikipedia

 

Yours sincerely,

No one

Edited May 22 by No one

[No one]

Dear Gentlemen,

 

Miscellaneous:

 

- table medal Escadron de Chasse 3-10 "Vexin":

 

 

- Zippo Escadron de Chasse 3-10 "Vexin":

 

 

- key ring Escadron de Chasse 4-30 "Vexin" Djibouti:

 

 

 

- stickers:

 

- 3/10:

 

 

- 4/30:

 

 

- 4/33:

 

 

Yours sincerely,

No one

[TracA]

No One,

 

Another great, very interesting thread. Thanks for sharing.

 

Tracy