French Text:

Born at the same time as the ‘Armée de L’air’ itself, in the early 1930s, the squadrons represent the evolution and development of French aerial forces over the decades. Reformed at the end of the Second World War, the number of squadrons for the ‘Armée de l’Air’ peaked during the Cold War after which their numbers were reduced as the threat from the Soviet Union evaporated as the Soviet empire imploded. The very existence of the squadrons came into question during the 1990s, but they were reformed over the next two decades. This title, covering over half a century, covers both French fighter and reconnaissance planes of 1945-2015, the period of the propeller to jet planes, the Spitfire and the Thuderbolt to the Mirage 2000 and the Rafale, including the Ouragan, Mystère and other Mirage 111.

Using detailed descriptions and images, each squadron, whether in still in existence or not, is described in detail, not only its history but its insignias, equipment, planes, etc.