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Escadron de Chasse 1/7

Armed Force
Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace
 (FAF)
Airfield
Al Dhafra AB
 (OMAM)
, ARE
Aircraft
Rafale B/C
Membership status
Former Member
Member since
2012
Member untill
2016
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EC1.7Provence.BA104
History

The history of the Escadron de Chasse 1/7 starts in Dijon in 1932. There it received its two Flights SPA 15 and SPA 77, which both can be traced back to World War I. After several years deployed to North Africa, the squadron took part in the campaign to liberate Corsica and the Provence Landings, where it received its name . At the end of World War II it received the ‘Croix de Guerre 1939-1945’. 

After a period of flying captured Nakajima ki-43 "Hayabusa" fighter planes they transitioned to the Mistral and later the Mystére IV. In 1962 the Squadron was relocated to Nancy-Ochey, In 1973 the squadron was the first to be outfitted with the SEPECAT Jaguer and was again relocated to it’s current base BA 113 Saint-Dizier. Flying the Jaguar, the Sqn took part in various combat missions, such as the Gulf War (1990-1991) and Bosnia. 

In December 1996 the squadron received it’s 3rd flight, SPA 91. In 2005 the Jaguars where retired, and the Rafale introduced in service. The unit was frequently deployed to Afghanistan from 2007 to 2011, and involved in Libya form the first beginning (first fighter unit of the coalition engaged) to the last days in 2011. In April 2012 a new chapter opens for the Squadron, with the disbandment of EC 1/12 ‘Cambrésis’, the Tiger Flight SPA 162 was transferred to EC 1/7 where it replaced SPA 91. With this change, EC 1/7 inherits the tiger traditions from the Founding Member of The NATO Tiger Association.

During the summer of 2016 the EC 1/7 moves from Saint-Dizier to Al Dhafra in the UAE. The SPA 162 does however not make the international transition, but is again transitioned to another squadron. This Time the EC 3/30 "Lorraine" will carry the titel of Tiger Squadron in the French Air Force and Tiger Association.