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Hello and welcome to this new suggestion!
Today I’m presenting a new squadron emblem that would be interesting to add to the game: that of the 3/3 Ardennes Fighter Squadron.
The EC 3/3 Ardennes is a fighter squadron with a rather unique history. It was created by the Free French Forces in early 1944 during World War II (the British agreed to provide 25 Hurricane IIC aircraft). Composed of French pilots, the unit was tasked with defending Lebanon and French interests in that region. Operating along the southern coast of the Mediterranean and participating in only a few skirmishes, the 3/3 finally saw combat upon its arrival in France at the end of that same year, now equipped with P-47s, and participated in numerous missions. At the end of the war, the unit was stationed in the French-occupied zone of Germany.
After several reorganizations and periods of inactivity, the unit was reactivated in 1953 and received its first jet aircraft, the F-84. It was notably deployed during the Suez Crisis to provide air support to ground forces. In 1974, the squadron switched to a different aircraft type, receiving its first French-designed aircraft, the Mirage 5F, followed by the Jaguar and Mirage III E in subsequent years. Specializing in Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) missions, the 3/3 was one of the main squadrons to use the MARTEL missile. The squadron was deployed numerous times (including many deployments to Africa, particularly to Mauritania, Gabon, and Chad) because its aircraft were capable of mid-air refueling, thus extending their operational range. The Jaguars participated in Operation Épervier, among other operations. Since 1994, the 3/3 Ardenne squadron has been deployed on Mirage 2000D aircraft and has participated in various operations in the Adriatic, Afghanistan, and the Middle East.
Planes :
- Hurricane IIC
- P-39 Aircobra
- P-47 Thunderbolt
- F-84 Thunderjet
- Jaguar A
- Mirage III E
- Mirage 2000 D
- And a lot of other planes
