Military Jets Photography: 2011 06 19 Meeting de l'air Saint-Dizier

The charity air show by the "la Fondation des Oeuvres Sociales de l'Air” was held at the Saint Dizier Air Force Base. The base is located close to St Dizier (100 km north-east to Reims and 100 km west to Nancy).
More than 50,000 visitors attended over the two days, this great aeronautical festival which coincided with the 60th anniversary of the base and the 30,000th flight-hour of the Rafale with the operational units of the French Air Force.
For the photographers and spectators, it was an excellent show due to the way the main runway is laid out. The runway is west-east orientated with the only taxiway located south of the main runway. Throughout the day, the sun was behind the spectator’s backs and the crowds were very close to the taxiing aircraft.
The show was continuous from ten in the morning till six in the evening. It included flight demonstrations from vintage aircraft, helicopters, to the newest generation of combat and transport aircraft in the service of the French. Also were several visiting foreign armed forces, as well as national and private aerobatic teams including the Patrouille de France.
The highlight was the solo display of the French Rafale. Two Rafales were painted in an outstanding black-gray scheme, dazzling the spectators on their own home turf.