The squadron
In 1941, Charles de Gaulle created the "Groupe de Chasse Ile-de-France" in United Kingdom, nicknamed Free French Squadron 340. At that time, the unit flew the Spitfire Mk.V and was the first of seven free french units. During World War II, the unit flew more than 7 000 missions, destroying or causing damage to 75 enemy aircraft.
Between 1947 and 1951, the squadron flew the Bell P-63 Kingcobra from Bizerte-Sidi Hamed, Tunisia, and was engaged in the Indochina war. This is when the squadron was incorporated into the 5th Fighter Wing. In March 1951 the squadron was renamed "Escadron de Chasse 2/5 Ile-de-France" and moved to Orange Caritat, from where it never left. At that time, the Squadron flew the Vampire Mk.1.
After that, the Ile-de-France flew successively the Mistral, Mystère 2, 4, Super Mystère B2, then the Mirage IIIC and the Mirage F-1C. In 1989 it received the Mirage 2000C and Mirage 2000B, which it flew until 2022.
Mirage 2000C n°122 in shelter
Mirage 2000C n°122 parked during the night
Mirage 2000C n°123 equipped with Magic II missiles back from a QRA mission
The missions
Fom 1997 to 2022, the 2/5 Squadron trained the French Air Force pilots on Mirage 2000. With their 7 two-seaters and their 20 single-seater airframes, the pilots could learn to use this powerful workhorse in a variety of scenarios. The formation lasted around 4 to 6 months, during which they would learn everything they needed to know about the Mirage. After this period in Orange, the young pilots would join their final squadrons, either in Luxeuil to fly the Mirage 2000-5F, or in Nancy to fly the Mirage 2000D.
The second main mission of the Escadron de Chasse 2/5 Ile de France is the protection of the territory. The squadron was responsible for the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) in the southeastern quarter of France. The goal was to be ready at any time of the day, any day of the year, to take-off and defend the skies if needed. For that, two armed aircraft with their crew were on alert in the hangars near the threshold of Orange's runway 32. The aircraft was the last to operate the Magic 2 infrared missile, especially for this mission of QRA.
Due to its missions of air defence, the squadron also played as a Red Air squadron for many years and at various exercises. As early as 1954, the 2/5 Ile-de-France participated in the 'Shooting Star' operation where it simulated an attack against enemy aircraft.
Mirage 2000B n°524 in its shelter
Mirage 2000C n°123 equipped with Magic II missiles back from a QRA mission
Mirage 2000B n°524 in its shelter
Mirage 2000C n°122 in shelter
Mirage 2000C n°122 in shelter
October 14th, 2021
That day marked the 80th anniversary of the Escadron de Chasse 2/5 Ile-de-France. A few friends of the squadron were invited to celebrate one of the most iconic squadrons of the French Air Force, before its imminent disbandment. Thanks to the efforts of the tradition officers, a few dozens of lucky photographers were invited to the ceremony and could get an up close and personnal shots of the visitors.
The star of the show was clearly the specially decorated 'Gusto 80' Mirage 2000C, imagined by the famous Régis 'Rage' Rocca. The top represented the lys flower, while the bottom of the aircraft had a Lorraine cross painted on it, two of the symbols of the squadron.
Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16AM arriving in Orange
Royal Danish Air Force F-16AM Solo Display in Orange
Belgian Air Force F-16AM Solo Display leaving Orange
Mirage 2000C n°123 taking-off in Orange
Spitfire on display for the 80 years of 2/5 Squadron
Mirage 2000N n°369 from the DGA leaving Orange
The beautiful livery for the 2/5 squadron 80th anniversary
June 26th, 2022
That day marked the official disbandment of the Escadron de Chasse 2/5 Ile-de-France and the retirement of the Mirage 2000C. After 81 years of uninterrupted operation, the squadron has been put to sleep, at least until it is born again in 2024, although it is not yet confirmed whether the new Rafale squadron to be created in Orange will be the 2/5 or another one. Until then, the air base will have huge works to be ready and up to date for this new airframe.
On June 26th, 2022, many aircraft and friends of the squadrons visited Orange to pay one last tribute to the Great 2/5 and the Mighty RDI. As the squadron knows how to do, a specially decorated Mirage 2000C was painted again, callsign 'Mission Accomplie'. 4 other Mirages received special tails to celebrate all the squadrons that operated the Mirage 2000C.
Mirage 2000C n°2 of the DGA landing
Mirage 2000-5F n°65 from the Groupe de Chasse 1/2 Cigognes
Private F-86 Sabre landing in Orange
Mirage 2000C n°122 landing in Orange (Mont Ventoux in the background)
Mirage 2000D n°613 landing in Orange
