[Photo] French Rafale jets conduct first reconnaissance mission over Iraq

Two Rafale have already flown over Iraq to perform reconnaissance missions over ISIS targets.

Two French Air Force Rafale jets, deployed to Al Dhafra airbase, in UAE, conducted France’s first reconnaissance mission over Iraq on Sept. 15.

The aircraft, carrying a Reco NG pod, are part of the French contingent which includes six Rafale fighter jets, a Boeing C-135FR tanker belonging to the French Air Force and a French Navy Atlantique reconnaissance aircraft which will perform ISR (Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance) missions against ISIS targets.

Image credit: © JL. Brunet / Armée de l’air

 

About David Cenciotti
David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.