KHAMSIN, a high intensity training
The training sequence named KHAMSIN, as an element within mission SHIKRA, started on 10 January 2022 in Djibouti.
Scramble Magazine reported on the first phase of mission SHIKRA, exercise MARATHON, which consisted of the non-stop flight on 5 January 2022 of two Rafale B fighters and one Airbus A330MRTT Phénix (Phoenix) to La Réunion (Reunion Island).
On 8 January, the detachment left La Réunion for Base Aérienne 188 (BA188) at Djibouti/Ambouli to be part of the training exercise.
A second power projection mission, exercise MINOTAURE, started on 10 January involving two EC01.004 Gascogne Rafale B, two EC01.002 Cigognes Mirage 2000-5F, three EC03.003 Ardennes Mirage 2000D escorted by an A330MRTT Phénix flying the 5,000 km stretch non-stop from France to Djibouti/Ambouli.
When arriving in Djiboutian airspace the contingent was challenged by the earlier mentioned Rafales that arrived from La Réunion and the locally based Mirage 2000-5 from EC03.011 Corse. The interceptors were assisted by ground-to-air defence systems and simulated denial of access to the incoming fighters, whose crews were treated and trained to a high intensity fight after more than eight hours of flight.
The KHAMSIN training exercise continued for several days in a favourable environment. The operational support at BA188 allows the military to meet operational preparation conditions like those of current external operations. Local units such as the Air Operations Coordination Centre and the based EC03.011 fighter squadron facilitated the crews arriving from France.
The following aircraft were noted participating in the execrcise:
Photos by Morgane Vallé/AAE