The Quest for Relevant Air Power

French Air Force │ 107
Charles de Gaulle to fly missions over Afghanistan from December
2001. The second was sending six Mirage 2000Ds and two
tanker aircraft from France to Manas, Kyrgyzstan, on 26 and 27
February 2002. On 2 March, these aircraft took part in Operation
Anaconda. 148 The American air component commander, Gen T.
Michael Moseley, argued that given the ferocity of the fighting on
the ground, he immediately had to employ the French Mirage aircraft
without giving them time to acclimatise. The French detachment
was the first to be based at Manas, and General Moseley acknowledged
France’s role in establishing a new front for operations
over Afghanistan. In June 2002, the French Mirage aircraft in
Manas were joined by USMC F/A-18D Hornets.
Courtesy FAF, Sirpa Air
FAF deployment. Six Mirage 2000D combat aircraft and two tanker aircraft
deployed from France to Manas, Kyrgyzstan, on 26 and 27 February
2002. On 2 March, these aircraft took part in Operation Anaconda.