A dozen French fighter jets are catapulted into the sky from an aircraft carrier in the Gulf, roaring off towards Iraq as part of the campaign against the Islamic State jihadist group.
Five hours later, by midnight, the last batch of warplanes swoops down to land on the runway of the Charles de Gaulle in waters north of Bahrain.
The carrier, with 12 Rafale and nine Super Etendard fighters, is spending eight weeks in the Gulf alongside the USS Carl Vinson, significantly increasing France's regional air capabilities.
On the first day of missions from the vessel, a total of 12 fighter jets on Monday flew over territory controlled by the Islamic State (IS) group in Iraq.
A crew of around 2,000 sailors were aboard to welcome them home safely.
On the carrier deck, high above the seas between Saudi Arabia and Iran, runway staff sprint to each of the aircraft that have just landed "blind", helped by radar systems to find their way in the darkness.
"On board," shouts a member of the support crew after each successful landing.
The missions are a far cry from the basic training runs pilots have conducted in recent weeks. Their planes now carry bombs, making each takeoff and landing especially delicate.
"Landing should never be taken for granted, especially after a long flight," says Jules, who guides the pilots in their final approach to the carrier.
"It is not easy to sit for hours with bent legs in the cockpit. It's also an extremely cerebral job."
Along with other crew members, Jules requests anonymity when talking to the media. The fear of being identified by jihadists on social media is on everyone's mind since January's deadly Islamist attacks in Paris.
- 'No stress relief' -
The dreadful images of a captured Jordanian fighter pilot burned alive by IS extremists adds to their unease, even if most give the same response when asked if they fear for their safety: risk is part of the job.
The warplanes reach their mission zone around 90 minutes after takeoff.
They overfly the country for three hours at a time, scouring for potential strike targets to support Iraqi forces fighting IS.
"Pilots have to refuel regularly. A whole refuelling network operates over Iraq, allowing an extension of flight duration," says Vice-Admiral Eric Chaperon, commander of the warship's battle group.
Once a target is identified, pilots must get authorisation from the US-led coalition's central command before engaging, Chaperon adds.
On return, "there is no stress relief, because you have to land at the end," says Marc, an experienced helicopter pilot.
A missed landing would at best delay the safe return of other expensive warplanes. At worst, the jets could plunge into the sea.
- Crowded shipping route -
As a Super Etendard prepares to touch down, a sailor scans the horizon with binoculars, relaying instructions for the ground crew.
Each pilot must ensure that his plane's tail hook catches the metal wire strung across the deck, which stops the jets instantly upon landing.
As well as the air traffic aboard the Charles de Gaulle, the warship has to contend with oil tankers and container ships sailing up and down the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's busiest maritime routes.
"There is also Iran, which is very careful that its territory is protected," said Captain Pierre Vandier. "They regularly come with boats and planes and tell us in a very professional manner: 'We see you'."
The Charles de Gaulle must also jostle for space with the USS Carl Vinson, which like the French vessel is engaged in Iraq.
"In such a narrow space, having two aircraft carriers close to each other is certainly complicated," Chaperon said.
"It requires close coordination."
A dozen French fighter jets are catapulted into the sky from an aircraft carrier in the Gulf, roaring off towards Iraq as part of the campaign against the Islamic State jihadist group.
Five hours later, by midnight, the last batch of warplanes swoops down to land on the runway of the Charles de Gaulle in waters north of Bahrain.
The carrier, with 12 Rafale and nine Super Etendard fighters, is spending eight weeks in the Gulf alongside the USS Carl Vinson, significantly increasing France’s regional air capabilities.
On the first day of missions from the vessel, a total of 12 fighter jets on Monday flew over territory controlled by the Islamic State (IS) group in Iraq.
A crew of around 2,000 sailors were aboard to welcome them home safely.
On the carrier deck, high above the seas between Saudi Arabia and Iran, runway staff sprint to each of the aircraft that have just landed “blind”, helped by radar systems to find their way in the darkness.
“On board,” shouts a member of the support crew after each successful landing.
The missions are a far cry from the basic training runs pilots have conducted in recent weeks. Their planes now carry bombs, making each takeoff and landing especially delicate.
“Landing should never be taken for granted, especially after a long flight,” says Jules, who guides the pilots in their final approach to the carrier.
“It is not easy to sit for hours with bent legs in the cockpit. It’s also an extremely cerebral job.”
Along with other crew members, Jules requests anonymity when talking to the media. The fear of being identified by jihadists on social media is on everyone’s mind since January’s deadly Islamist attacks in Paris.
– ‘No stress relief’ –
The dreadful images of a captured Jordanian fighter pilot burned alive by IS extremists adds to their unease, even if most give the same response when asked if they fear for their safety: risk is part of the job.
The warplanes reach their mission zone around 90 minutes after takeoff.
They overfly the country for three hours at a time, scouring for potential strike targets to support Iraqi forces fighting IS.
“Pilots have to refuel regularly. A whole refuelling network operates over Iraq, allowing an extension of flight duration,” says Vice-Admiral Eric Chaperon, commander of the warship’s battle group.
Once a target is identified, pilots must get authorisation from the US-led coalition’s central command before engaging, Chaperon adds.
On return, “there is no stress relief, because you have to land at the end,” says Marc, an experienced helicopter pilot.
A missed landing would at best delay the safe return of other expensive warplanes. At worst, the jets could plunge into the sea.
– Crowded shipping route –
As a Super Etendard prepares to touch down, a sailor scans the horizon with binoculars, relaying instructions for the ground crew.
Each pilot must ensure that his plane’s tail hook catches the metal wire strung across the deck, which stops the jets instantly upon landing.
As well as the air traffic aboard the Charles de Gaulle, the warship has to contend with oil tankers and container ships sailing up and down the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest maritime routes.
“There is also Iran, which is very careful that its territory is protected,” said Captain Pierre Vandier. “They regularly come with boats and planes and tell us in a very professional manner: ‘We see you’.”
The Charles de Gaulle must also jostle for space with the USS Carl Vinson, which like the French vessel is engaged in Iraq.
“In such a narrow space, having two aircraft carriers close to each other is certainly complicated,” Chaperon said.
“It requires close coordination.”
