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French Navy ATL2 flying Libyan reconnaissance missions over Libya

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World Navy Force News - France
 
 
 
French Navy ATL2 flying Libyan reconnaissance missions over Libya
 
Since July 27, 2011, French Navy Atlantique 2 joined the air detachment of Suda (Crete) as part of Operation Harmattan. Usually deployed for anti-submarine warfare and anti-ship missions, the maritime patrol aircraft proves to be a valuable asset by conducting reconnaissance missions over the Libyan territory.
     
Since July 27, 2011, French Navy Atlantique 2 joined the air detachment of Suda (Crete) as part of Operation Harmattan. Usually deployed for anti-submarine warfare and anti-ship missions, the maritime patrol aircraft proves to be a valuable asset by conducting reconnaissance missions over the Libyan territory.
French Navy ATL 2 based in Suda, Crete (picture: EMA/French Navy)
     
Its crew consists of fourteen people. The captain, the pilot and two flight engineers are at the front , while the tactical portion is composed of TACO (tactical coordinator), radio operators, radar navigator and acoustic officer.
     
Since July 27, 2011, French Navy Atlantique 2 joined the air detachment of Suda (Crete) as part of Operation Harmattan. Usually deployed for anti-submarine warfare and anti-ship missions, the maritime patrol aircraft proves to be a valuable asset by conducting reconnaissance missions over the Libyan territory.
Radar operator onboard ATL 2 (picture: EMA/French Navy)
     
Since July 27, 2011, French Navy Atlantique 2 joined the air detachment of Suda (Crete) as part of Operation Harmattan. Usually deployed for anti-submarine warfare and anti-ship missions, the maritime patrol aircraft proves to be a valuable asset by conducting reconnaissance missions over the Libyan territory.
Operators onboard ATL 2 (picture: EMA/French Navy)
     
Acoustic officers role is to gather and process the recordings and images during missions. To do so they have a unique vantage point through the glass nose of the aircraft.
     
Since July 27, 2011, French Navy Atlantique 2 joined the air detachment of Suda (Crete) as part of Operation Harmattan. Usually deployed for anti-submarine warfare and anti-ship missions, the maritime patrol aircraft proves to be a valuable asset by conducting reconnaissance missions over the Libyan territory.
French Navy ATL 2 and French Air Force M2000N prepares for a mission from Suda, Crete
 (picture: EMA/French Navy)
     

An infrared camera also allows them to see up to thirty kilometers around depending on weather conditions.
A single aircraft is on the Suda detachement to ensure all missions. Each mission last 11 hours on average.
Atlantique II operate alongside the French air force day and night.