The old and new generations of French military air transport in the Indian Ocean, with ET 0/50's last C-160 and first CN235-300 seen in the same shot taken in summer 2015.

The C-160’s days serving with ET 0/50 ended last year. There are many differences between the Transall and the CASA, but French crews say that doesn't mean the CN235 is not an effective platform.

A CN-235-300 gets towed back to its parking place on the DA181 apron. The CASA’s arrival last year led to several infrastructure changes at Reunion and at bases in the Scattered Islands.

Parachutists from the 2nd RPIMa and the 13th RDP board a CN235 for a drop over Samwest during an exercise.

The view from the cockpit of the CASA during a training sortie. CN235s based at Reunion searched for possible wreckage from flight MH370 during August 2015.

The survival kit dropped from the CN235-300 to people in the water on maritime search and rescue missions.

For para-dropping missions, the CN235-300’s seats in the hold are removed. At the moment, the aircraft is not certified for para-dropping or releasing pallets from the rear cargo ramp.

The Armee de I’Air regards the A400M aircraft as an expeditionary asset, able to deliver cargo and troops in a matter of days, which will have an impact on operations in Reunion.

An A400M crew perform post-flight checks in the cockpit during the type's visit to Reunion last year.

The Section Aerienne Gendarmerie EC145 departs on a sortie to one of the many mountainous areas of Reunion Island.