European touch at the parade of July 14, placed under the seal of the UN

(B2) The French military parade on July 14 took place - this year - under the symbol of the United Nations and peacekeeping forces, with the participation of various European forces.

Symbolically, the parade was opened by the peacekeepers. And, the United Nations flag was carried by a Frenchman accompanied by an Italian airman and a Spanish sailor. Of the forces from 12 Member States took part: 3 Germans, 10 Austrians, 4 Belgians, 1 Cypriot, 7 Spaniards, 6 British, 3 Greeks, 1 Hungarian, 9 Italians, 16 Poles, 2 Portuguese, 1 Slovene (as well as 5 Croats). These blue berets are currently deployed in Cyprus, Lebanon and the Golan (only those who are in post can wear the blue beret, according to the United Nations code; moreover, several Frenchmen in dark berets followed, who were deployed in the previous months).

A dozen aircraft from different Member States also took part in the parade:

9 European aircraft : 1 Spanish and 2000 Italian Eurofighter 1 (for in-flight refueling and power projection), 2 Migs - 1 Slovak MIG 29 and 1 Romanian MIG21 - 1 Hungarian Gripen (alongside the French Mirages), 3 Belgian Alpha Jets (in joint patrol with the French Alphajet), 1 German Transall C160 (alongside the French Transall for the projection of forces). And
two helicopters Europeans: 1 Slovenian cougar, 1 German tiger.

Also note the participation of French troops who have experienced a significant European commitment:
• the 21st Rima (marine infantry) which was present in Chad on February 1 for the evacuation of European citizens, in N'Djamena, in the face of the rebel offensive.
• The 61st Artillery Regiment, which deployed SDTI Drones to Kosovo to monitor the new state's borders in February.
• The 1st Tirailleurs Regiment, which was the first to be engaged in Lebanon in 1996.

(NGV)

(for parade order, click here)

Photo credit: (top) CCH Fiard – DICOD - (bottom) German Tiger