Welcome to our first 2016 special edition of The Aviation Magazine . This time we are featuring one of the most famous squadrons in the world : Escadrille La Fayette , of the Armée de l ’ air .
Escadrille La Fayette on April 20th , celebrated their 100th year of service with the French Air Force . What makes the Escadrille La Fayette so special is that it was formed by American Flyers during WWI , and all the pilots were American , fighting on behalf of France , before USA entered the great war . Several books and even a Hollywood blockbuster movie “ Flyboys ” were inspired by the story of America ’ s first fighter pilots . Men of the La Fayette Escadrille and Lafayette Flying Crops were critical to the formation of the U . S . Air Force .
We were lucky enough to receive fantastic air‐to‐air images of the current La Fayette fighter squadron or EC 2 / 4 from Armée de l ’ air with their specially painted Mirage 2000N as well as images from the annual celebration that takes place at the La Fayette Escadrille Memorial in Marnes‐la‐Coquette , near Paris , France , every April 20th . The ceremony honors the 268 Americans who joined the French Air Force before the U . S . officially engaged in World War I . For 2016 three FAF Mirage 2000Ns one with the special livery , one FAF Rafale along with four USAF F‐22s , flew past in formation , as well as a B‐52 Stratofortress bomber and Stearman PT‐17 biplane performed flyovers commemorating the 100th anniversary of the La Fayette Escadrille ’ s formation . We would like to thank Lieutenant Stéphanie Dujardine , SIRPA AIR as well as Lieutenant Antonia Buroni , Officier Relations Publiques Équipes de présentation de l ' armée de l ' air 20.300 for their invaluable cooperation and help .
Once again we are able to bring you images that are rarely seen , for you to enjoy in the many more “ Best for Free ” ® e‐based aviation magazine as we take you to aviation events “ As close as you can get without being at an air show !” ® Tell all your friends to like us on Facebook , follow us for the latest reviews and news on Twitter and to subscribe on Joomag to automatically receive the latest issue of The Aviation Magazine .