Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jet E (E129 / 6 / F-TELP) from the French Air Force (Armée de l'Air) "Patrouille de France"
(also known as the "Patrouille Acrobatique de France" or PAF) at the Royal Netherlands Air Force Open Days 2019, Volkel (the Netherlands)
The Patrouille Acrobatique de France, also known as the "Patrouille de France" or PAF, is the precision aerobatic demonstration unit of the French Air Force (Armée de l'Air), officially commissioned in 1953. Using the French Aerial Aerobatics unit of the French Air Force, the mission is to represent the French Air Force, and lead the ambassadorship role of French Aeronautics overseas. The Alpha Jet became the steel spear of the "Patrouille de France" in 1981 with 7 equipment. This number was increased to eight as of 1982. Each aircraft is painted blue-white-red, with the gun placement replaced with a smoke generator. Search lights are installed on the aircraft nose, and the viewfinder has been removed to improve visibility.
Each year the Netherlands armed forces services organises open days on a rotational basis. Open days are intended to show how the Netherlands Defence organisation works for peace and security throughout the world. On these days everyone is welcome to have a look behind the scenes.
The 2019 Royal Netherlands Air Force Open Days took place at Volkel Air Base, home to 312 and 313 F-16 Fighting Falcon squadrons.