The Mirage 2000 D (D for diversifié, diversified) is an important aircraft in the 2013 french air force. Developped from the N (N for Nuclear) version , the D is devoted to long air/ground attack missions. It carries conventional and GLB munitions while being self illuminator thanks to laser pod on pylon. Ordered to Dassault for 86 machines, it enter service life after the irak war in 1994. At this date the Mirage 2000 participate to external action over Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Libya.  

French Author and Photograph, Alexandre Paringuaux is well known for its excellent work and publications covering the French Air Force.

This volume is devoted to the Mirage 2000D and its home base NANCY OCHEY situated in France North East area.

Theses 144 pages display  27 b/w pictures and 328 color pictures. Images vary in size and are either portrait or landscape according to subject, the quality is first rate , a trade mark of Zephyr editions productions.

Except the traditional forewords and thanks the book is divided in 4 chapters :

Chapter one NANCY OCHEY : A CENTURY OF FIGHT, from WWI trench to Malya

The first 25 pages cover both the ground installations and aircrafts evolution from WWI to today; the “troisième escadre” pilots flown on F-84 , F-100 T-33, Mirage IIIE/5, SEPECAT JAGUAR and Mirage 2000D.

Chapter two IN THE BASE BACKSTAGE

The next 23 pages cover what civil and public don’t know about daily task of all people involved in they missions. You’ll discover the administration, the police, the fire-fighters, the protection commandos with their dogs, the mechanics , the detection system.

Chapter three VERY OPERATIONNAL MISSIONS

The following 61 pages are the heart of the subject containing a little less than 50% of the pictures. You’ll discover pilots and mechanics in action in France and outdoors, belonging to escadrons 1/3 NAVARRE ,2/3 CHAMPAGNE ,3/3 ARDENNES without forgetting the training escadron 2/7 ARGONNE

Special pages and chapters dealing with simulators and  JTAC (joint tactical air controller) are really interesting, also less known.

Chapter four SPECIALIST AROUND THE MIRAGE 2000D

Here is the daily routine in and out of the hangar, a real first rate documentation for enthusiasts, fans and modeller of the French delta aircraft. A great inspiration for diorama, very neat pictures and crisp details

I recommend you without hesitation this excellent study of a French air base organisation and this beautiful backbone aircraft of the 2013 fleet .

 Important note : an other edition including the third part of a COMIC BOOK in first part is also available under the title RAFALE LEADER N° 3 "NORTH POLE"

 Jean Paul POISSEROUX

October 2013

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