Escadron de Chasse 1/2 Cigognes
Escadron de Chasse 1/2 Cigognes (Fighter Squadron 1/2 Cigognes) is a French Air and Space Force (Armée de l'air et de l'espace) fighter squadron currently stationed at BA 116 Luxeuil - Saint-Sauveur Air Base, Haute-Saône, France (ICAO: LFSX).
| Fighter Squadron 1/2 Cigognes | |
|---|---|
| Escadron de Chasse 1/2 Cigognes | |
Dassault Mirage 2000-5F of the 1/2 seen during exercise Red Flag at Nellis AFB. | |
| Active | November 1945 - present |
| Country | France |
| Branch | Armée de l'air et de l'espace |
| Type | Fighter aircraft |
| Role | Air Defense |
| Part of | 2e Escadre de Chasse |
| Garrison/HQ | BA 116 Luxeuil - Saint-Sauveur Air Base |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | Dassault Mirage 2000-5F |
It inherits the traditions of three notable World War I units: SPA 3 of the famous ace Georges Guynemer, SPA 26, SPA 103 of René Fonck, and SPA 12.
Heir to Escadrille 3 (the "Cigognes" Escadrille), EC 1/2 Cigognes was created in November 1945, by reorganizing No. 329 Squadron RAF, which was constituted by pilots of the Groupe de Chasse 1/2 Cigognes after the armistice of 1940. The latter was deployed to French Indochina, and flew combat missions on Supermarine Spitfires, with Escadrille SPA 3 stationed in Saigon and the SPA 103 stationed in Hanoi. Upon its return to mainland France, the squadron converted to the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt in 1948.