Paris (France)

Bastille Day parade

14 July 2020

Two Mirage 2000Bs from EC 02.005 planned for this formation did not make for this formation.

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One C-135FR, leading four Mirage 2000Ds and two Rafale Bs were planned but cancelled from the line-up.

One additional NH90 and one Puma were originally planned for this formation.

Additional spare and support aircraft at air bases around Paris were:

Credits: Django Bruinink, Wim Sonneveld

Ever since 14 July 1880, apart from the Second World War years, a military parade has been held in Paris on Bastille Day. A lingering question during the COVID-19 lock-down, which began last March, was if 2020 would be an exception to this rule. And if so, how the French government would organise the event.

Only weeks before the actual date, just after the lock-down had eased a little, the go-ahead was finally given for the event to take place, albeit in an adapted way. First, a national feast was not deemed appropriate after France became one of the countries struck hard by the pandemic. Second, the battle against COVID-19 would be the main theme of the event, to honour all who worked hard to get the pandemic under control. And lastly, the new rules of society had to be followed during the event, which meant neither public could watch the parade at the Champs d’Elysées, nor would the military march.

Fortunately for the aviation-minded, the aerial parade seemed to be hardly adapted, just a bit smaller than usual. As such, the parade became the first of its kind organised in Western Europe since the worldwide pandemic. As usual the aerial parade took place over the Champs d’Elysées, although no helicopter demonstrations were planned at the Place de la Concorde, and Issy-Les-Moulineaux did not act as a helicopter base. Unfortunately, two formations were (partly) cancelled at the very last minute, so few Mirage 2000s showed up over Paris. Creil, Evreux and Villacoublay were used as air bases around Paris, other aircraft participated from their home base.

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