Hampton, VA – What do Great Britain, France, and the United States have in common? Besides the colors on their flags, they all have a passion for freedom and military might. Another commonality is that these countries are all members of NATO, but these militaries do not fly the same type aircraft. This is why the multi-country exercise Atlantic Trident took place on April 20. The host for this exercise would be Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia. The purpose of the exercise was to train crews from all countries in air to air combat scenarios with unfamiliar aircraft. The primary aircraft types used in this exercise would be the Eurofighter Typhoon from the Royal Air Force, the Dassault Rafale from the French Air Force The U.S. Air Force would provide a plethora of F-15E Strike Eagles, T-38 Talons, along with the newest fighters, the F-22 Raptor and F-35A Lighting II. And if that wasn’t enough, the Patrouille de France (PAF) was in attendance for a performance.
Any avid aviation enthusiast will tell you that they can never get enough jet noise, but on this day, the jet noise would be even sweeter. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the United States entering into World War I, the PAF would be wrapping up their North American tour performing before VIPs and military leadership from all countries present for the exercise. The PAF would be the finale of this “mini air show”.
First up was the Raptor Demo Team from Air Combat Command based at Langley Eustis. The sound of the Raptor engines destroying air molecules in the early cool hours of Virginia, were sure to wake you up if you weren’t already. Fast to slow, the Raptor and it’s stealth body reflected beautifully off of the morning sun. Defying physics with the aircraft’s thrust vectoring nozzles, the VIPs were in shock and awe to say the least. After the U.S. Air Force flexed it’s muscle with the Raptor, one could only picture the Rafale demonstration pilot sitting on the runway saying, “Oh that’s nice…..Here hold my Perrier, it’s our turn now”. Pilots like to have bragging rights. This eight or nine minute demonstration, filled with more aileron rolls, tight turns, and precision flying, was certainly enough to make a photographer tired! The Rafale’s nonstop flying looked beyond punishing for the pilot, but was incredible from the ground. It is also the only performance this reporter has seen, where a fighter aircraft points the nose straight down on final approach to landing.
The Patrouille de France would close the show! They are a very crisp, tight formation, and smooth demonstration team. Here in the States, we are used to muscle, loud, and agility. This team brings the beauty of formation flying back to the front row. All eight aircraft fly just feet apart while in close formation, and change formations in the middle of a maneuver. This display is so mesmerizing that the twenty-five minute demonstration seem like five. A true sight to see and a team we highly recommend seeing.
As media for this VIP event, we were in for a treat with close ups of the French and British aircraft not to mention those from the U.S.. The curves of the Typhoon and the Rafale up close are absolutely incredible. The sleek lines of both aircraft accent their beauty and shows why they are so nimble and aerodynamic.
Not forgetting that this event was an exercise, it would come to a close with the afternoon launch of tens of aircraft: Rafales to Raptors, Lightnings to Typhoons, and the ever aging but fully capable, Talons took to the skies! The T-38 and their crew would be the friendlies flying as foes. Air Combat training to make each other better in order to bring the fight to our enemies.
The VIP “gathering” for Atlantic Trident was a fast five hour event and one that we hope to attend again in the future. We wishes to thank all of the very professional Airmen, staff, and organizers for allowing Air Museum Network to be a part of this event.
