[5] As of 2021,[update] the French Air and Space Force employs a total of 40,500 regular personnel, with a reserve element of 5,187 in 2014.

[6] The Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force (CEMAAE) is a direct subordinate of the Chief of the Defence Staff (CEMA), a high-ranking military officer who in turn answers to the civilian Minister of the Armed Forces.

[7] The founding of the Service Aéronautique began in 1909, when the French War Minister approved the purchase of a Wright Biplane.

His secret weapon was thus exposed, and Anthony Fokker came up with the synchronization gear that by July 1, 1915, turned airplanes into flying gun platforms.

This experienced flier was given a free hand to select pilots and airplanes for a new unit tasked with keeping German observation craft from over the French lines.

This ad hoc unit patrolling the skies over Verdun was the first French Groupement de Chasse.

Under the leadership of new commander Captain Auguste de Reverand, such flying aces as Georges Guynemer, Charles Nungesser, and Albert Deullin began their careers.

The last addition to the new division was five protection squadrons, operating 75 Caudron R.11 gunships to fly escort for the Breguets.

[21][22] The French Air Force played an important role in WWII, most notably during the Battle of France in 1940.

[23][24][25] The French Air Force was active in Algeria from 1952 until 1962 and Suez (1956), later Mauritania and Chad,[26][27][28] the Persian Gulf (1990–1991),[29] ex-Yugoslavia[30][31] and more recently in Afghanistan, Mali and Iraq.

The Military Air Transport Command had previously been formed in February 1962 from the Groupement d'Unités Aériennes Spécialisées.

Also created in 1964 was the Escadron des Fusiliers Commandos de l'Air (EFCA), seemingly grouping all FCA units.

By November 2016, 11 had already been delivered to ET00.061 at Orleans-Bricy, and integration of the new Dassault Rafale multi-role jet fighter was underway; the first 20-aircraft squadron became operational in 2006 at Saint-Dizier.

[40] France was a leading nation, alongside the United States, United Kingdom and Italy in implementing the UN sponsored no-fly zone in Libya (NATO Operation Unified Protector), deploying 20 fighter aircraft to Benghazi in defense of rebel-held positions and the civilian population.

[44] The official renaming occurred on 24 July 2020, with the new Air and Space Force logo unveiled on 11 September 2020.

[2] On 26 July 2023, FASF conducted its first ever joint fighter exercise with Japan, continuing its defense ties between the two countries.

The Air and Space Force is organized in accordance with Chapter 4, Title II, Book II of the Third Part of the French Defense Code (French: code de la Défense), which replaced decree n° 91-672 dated 14 July 1991.

The number was then reduced to four by a decree of 30 June 1962 with the disestablishment of the 5th Aerial Region (French North Africa).

French joint defence service organisations, supporting the air and space force, include:[46] Commanded by a Lieutenant-colonel or Colonel, the Escadre is a formation that assembles various units and personnel dedicated to the same mission.

[60] The problems caused by having the aircraft maintenance units not responsible to the flying squadrons they supported eventually forced the change.

Four Escadres were reformed in the first phase:[60] In the second phase, the French Air Force announced in August 2015 the creation of six additional wings:[60] Also established was the Escadre Aérienne de Commandement et de Conduite Projetable at Évreux-Fauville Air Base on 27 August 2015.

The French Air and Space Force announced in August 2015 that unit numbering, moves of affected aircraft, and the transfer of historic material (flags, traditions and names) would be completed in 2016.

[60] Another air force wing was added on September 5, 2019: Commanded by a lieutenant-colonel, the Escadron is the basic operational unit.

[citation needed] A fighter squadron (escadron) can number some twenty machines, spread in general in three Escadrilles.

The CPAs carry out common missions, as well as specialized tasks including intervention and reinforcement of protection at the profit of sensible points " air " inside and outside the national territory.

Flying activity in France is carried out by a network of bases, platforms and French air and space defence radar systems.

It is supported by bases, which are supervised and maintained by staff, operational centres, warehouses, workshops, and schools.

As swift as the French Air and Space Force operates, the closure of aerial bases is more constant and immediate, having known a strong acceleration since the 1950s.

On average, a base, made up of about 1500 personnel (nearly 3500 people including family), provides a yearly economic boost to its area of about 60 million euros.

[99] In 1990, at the end of the Cold War, numbers reached 56,400 military personnel under contract, out of which 36,300 were part of conscription and 5,400 civilians.