French air force pilots also checked Su-27s, most probably coming from the Kaliningrad enclave. This Soukhoi sports bort number 88 and RF-95277 code on its fin. Note the live AA-8 Aphid under the port wing

A pilot of GC 1/2 Cigognes is preparing his office prior to a training flight out of Luxeuil Air Base. When on CAP missions, Mirage 2000-5 always carry the large underwing tanks containing 2,000 litres of extra fuel each

Mirage 2000-5 climbing over a grey sky: EC 1/2’s aircraft regularly fly combat air patrol (CAP) missions

All QRA missions are carried out by two NATO fighter aircraft which makes it possible for a team member to take a shot of his colleague with the intercepted plane. Note that the Mirage 2000-5 on this shot does not have any insignia on its fin

Seen from its port side, this Antonov An-12 shows its age through its faded yellow bort number 16 and worn paint. Russian transport aircraft fly regular missions over the Baltic between the Kaliningrad enclave and the St Petersburg Oblast.

This close-up view reveals that the pilot has the storks of the three 1/2 Flights painted on his helmet

The French Mirage 2000-5s still make for a relevant air policing force.

Nancy-Ochey’s Mirages deployed to Luxeuil last summer, due to heavy works carried out at their home base. The crew of this machine is getting ready for an afternoon mission

On deployment at Luxeuil, this renovated Mirage 2000D emerges from its shelter on the base’s former nuclear QRA area. The blue markings on the tarmac were used to make easier the attachment of ASMP missiles under the Mirage 2000Ns’ bellies.