Elephant walk and 21 Rafale fighters in flight during SAPHIR exercise

During the SAPHIR exercises organized by the French Air and Space Force, 21 Dassault Rafale fighters taxied along the Mont-de-Marsan runway during an Elephant Walk, before taking off for formation flights.

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From February 12 to 16, the 30th Fighter Wing of the French Air and Space Force (Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace) is conducting SAPHIR exercises, which aim to optimize the availability of fighter aircraft by increasing the volume of activity of its different squadrons over a given period. Between 180 and 200 simulated combat sorties are expected to be carried out, whereby the 30th Fighter Wing will test its ability to take off an average of 20 Rafale per day. This exercise mobilizes all the technical and logistical support forces of the Air Force itself, but also requires a permanent dialogue with the industrial support and manufacturing base.

During the second day of exercises, a spectacular «elephant walk» took place where 21 Rafale fighter jets were photographed while taxiing in close formation, prior to the minimum take-off interval.

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Petite anecdote : lors de l’exercice SAPHIR organisé aujourd’hui à MDM, il y avait 21 Rafale en vol. Mais pour des soucis de symétrie des chevrons, ils n’ont été que 18 à prendre part à la formation ???? pic.twitter.com/QjJPnqw3TM

— Escadrons de Chasse français (@EscadronsChasse) February 13, 2024

Once in the air, 18 of these fighters were photographed during a formation flight, leaving three aircraft out to maintain the symmetry of the figures (the French Air Force swears that 21 flew).

On avait aussi prévu ça, pour la Saint Valentin ! pic.twitter.com/w3AdaajgEU

— Escadrons de Chasse français (@EscadronsChasse) February 14, 2024

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, the 18 Rafale fighters performed a heart formation flight.